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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 is common in Parkinson's disease patients with normal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Eugenia Mamikonyan1, Paul J Moberg, Andrew Siderowf

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
|July 4, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects nearly 30% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with normal global cognition. Memory and attention deficits are common, suggesting current screening tools may under-recognize this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuropsychology

Background:

  • Cognitive impairment is prevalent in Parkinson's disease (PD).
  • Detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in PD patients with seemingly normal global cognition remains poorly understood.
  • This study investigates the frequency and characteristics of cognitive deficits in PD patients who score normally on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and nature of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with normal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.
  • To identify factors associated with cognitive impairment in this population.

Main Methods:

  • One hundred and six PD patients with normal MMSE scores underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing.
  • Tests assessed memory, executive function, and attention.
  • Cognitive domain impairment was defined by scores at least 1.5 standard deviations below normative means.

Main Results:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was identified in 29.2% of PD patients.
  • Memory (15.1%) and attention (17.0%) impairments were most frequent, followed by executive dysfunction (8.5%).
  • Predictors of cognitive impairment included increasing age, disease severity, anti-anxiety medication use, and daytime sleepiness.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive deficits are common in PD patients despite normal MMSE scores, indicating potential under-recognition of MCI in clinical practice.
  • Early memory impairment may be as prevalent as executive or attentional deficits in PD.
  • Psychiatric medication use and daytime sleepiness are potential reversible contributors to cognitive impairment in PD.

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