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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

Does age at observation time affect the clinical presentation of mild cognitive impairment?

Barbara Vicini-Chilovi1, Maddalena Riva, Marta Conti

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. barbaravicini@tiscali.it

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
|September 15, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Age significantly impacts mild cognitive impairment (MCI) presentation. Very old individuals with MCI exhibit greater executive function decline compared to younger patients, indicating age-related differences in cognitive profiles.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Limited research exists on age-related variations in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) clinical and neuropsychological profiles.
  • Understanding these age-related differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of MCI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether age at evaluation influences the clinical, functional, or cognitive characteristics of individuals diagnosed with MCI.
  • To identify specific cognitive domains affected by age in the MCI population.

Main Methods:

  • 167 outpatients with a clinical diagnosis of MCI were enrolled.
  • Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded.
  • A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was administered to all participants.

Main Results:

  • MCI patients were categorized into three age groups: young (≤69), old (70-79), and very old (≥80).
  • No significant differences were observed in demographics, general cognition, or memory impairment across age groups.
  • Very old MCI subjects demonstrated significantly greater impairment in executive functions compared to younger MCI patients.
  • A higher proportion of very old MCI patients were classified as having multiple-domain amnestic MCI.

Conclusions:

  • Age demonstrably affects the clinical presentation of mild cognitive impairment.
  • Very old individuals with MCI show poorer performance across multiple cognitive abilities, especially executive functions, compared to younger counterparts.
  • These findings underscore the importance of considering age when assessing and characterizing MCI.

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