Identification of mild cognitive impairment in ACTIVE: algorithmic classification and stability

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) prevalence varies based on diagnostic criteria and study populations.
• The Advanced Cognitive Training of Independent and Vital Elders (ACTIVE) study investigates cognitive training in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To utilize a psychometric algorithm to identify MCI and assess its stability.
• To determine if low cognitive functioning correlates with adverse longitudinal outcomes in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Employed a psychometric algorithm to classify participants with amnestic and non-amnestic MCI at baseline.
• Analyzed data from the ACTIVE study, excluding individuals with Mini-Mental State Examination scores below 23.
• Classified participants based on the stability of their MCI status over a 5-year period.

Main Results:

• At baseline, 8.07% exhibited amnestic MCI and 25.09% non-amnestic MCI.
• Individuals with baseline MCI showed poorer functional scores, higher attrition, depressive symptoms, and self-reported physical functioning issues.
• Stably impaired participants over 5 years had the worst Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) performance; classification inconsistency also increased risk.

Conclusions:

• Assessing and monitoring cognitive status, particularly its stability, offers prognostic value.
• Identifying baseline cognitive features aids in predicting poorer longitudinal outcomes in older adults.
• Cognitive tracking is essential for understanding and managing age-related cognitive decline.