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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
12:18

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

Mild cognitive impairment in the general population: occurrence and progression to Alzheimer disease

Katie Palmer1, Lars Bäckman, Bengt Winblad

  • 1Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden. katie.palmer@ki.se

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry : Official Journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
|July 2, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Modified criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) identify more cases and predict Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. MCI-multidomains showed the highest progression to AD, highlighting the need for refined diagnostic approaches.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Gerontology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes require better population-level detection.
  • Current MCI criteria may miss individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Understanding MCI subtype progression is crucial for early AD intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detect the prevalence of three MCI subtypes in the general population.
  • To identify cognitive impairment cases missed by current MCI criteria.
  • To determine the predictive value of MCI subtypes for future Alzheimer's disease.

Main Methods:

  • A three-year prospective, population-based study (Kungsholmen Project) in Sweden.
  • Inclusion of 379 non-demented adults aged 75-95.
  • Application of standard and modified MCI criteria, with modified definitions removing the normal general cognition requirement and adding a category for global cognitive deficits without MCI.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates per 100 non-demented individuals: MCI-amnestic (2.1%), MCI-multidomains (1.8%), MCI-single-nonmemory (7.2%).
  • Modified MCI definitions nearly doubled the occurrence of MCI-amnestic and MCI-multidomains.
  • MCI-multidomains demonstrated the highest progression to AD (HR: 23.6), followed by modified MCI-amnestic (HR: 17.9). Individuals with global deficits but no MCI also showed a ninefold increased risk (HR: 9.1).

Conclusions:

  • MCI-multidomains and MCI-amnestic subtypes show significant progression to Alzheimer's disease.
  • Modified diagnostic criteria are essential for capturing individuals at high risk, including those with global cognitive deficits but not meeting standard MCI criteria.
  • Current standard MCI criteria may underestimate the population at risk for AD.

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