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Published on: January 24, 2020
Persistence of neuropsychological testing deficits in mild cognitive impairment
Edmond Teng1, Kathleen D Tingus, Po H Lu
1Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif., USA. eteng@ucla.edu
Background:
The significant variability across studies of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in rates of progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and reversion to normal cognition may be due to differences in specific neuropsychological tests and thresholds used to define MCI.
Methods:
We assessed 115 subjects with amnestic (AMN) or non-amnestic (NON) MCI on a standardized neuropsychological battery at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 16.4 months to determine the prevalence and persistence of deficits identified with specific tests.
Results:
The prevalence of impaired performance varied widely across tests. Deficits were more persistent in the AMN group than in the NON group. Baseline deficits in Visual Reproduction II and the California Verbal Learning Test were the best predictors of persistent memory impairment. Subjects who at baseline were impaired on multiple memory tests or had poorer overall memory performance were more likely to exhibit persistent memory deficits.
Conclusions:
The use of different neuropsychological tests and thresholds to diagnose MCI identified subsets of subjects with different rates of persistence of cognitive impairment. Standardization of the operational definition of cognitive impairment in MCI may result in more consistent predictions of progression to AD.
Insights
Standardizing neuropsychological tests for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is crucial. Different tests reveal varied progression rates to Alzheimer's disease (AD), impacting patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Variability in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and reversion rates is noted across studies.
- Discrepancies in neuropsychological tests and diagnostic thresholds for MCI may explain this variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and persistence of cognitive deficits in individuals with MCI.
- To determine how specific neuropsychological tests influence the observed rates of MCI progression and reversion.
Main Methods:
- 115 subjects with amnestic (AMN) or non-amnestic (NON) MCI were evaluated using a standardized neuropsychological battery.
- Assessments were conducted at baseline and after a mean follow-up period of 16.4 months.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of impaired performance on cognitive tests varied significantly.
- Cognitive deficits were more persistent in the AMN MCI group compared to the NON MCI group.
- Impairments in Visual Reproduction II and the California Verbal Learning Test at baseline predicted persistent memory deficits.
Conclusions:
- Different neuropsychological tests and diagnostic thresholds for MCI identify distinct patient subgroups with varying cognitive persistence.
- Standardizing MCI definitions may lead to more reliable predictions of Alzheimer's disease progression.
