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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Cognitive declines precede and predict functional declines in aging and Alzheimer's disease
Laura B Zahodne1, Jennifer J Manly, Anna MacKay-Brandt
1Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, United States of America.
Plos One
|September 12, 2013
Summary
Cognitive decline predicts functional decline in older adults, both before and after Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis. Neuropsychological tests accurately forecast future functional changes in aging individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between cognitive and functional changes is crucial for aging populations.
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) significantly impacts cognition and daily functioning.
- Longitudinal studies are essential to establish temporal relationships in disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the sequence of cognitive versus functional decline in older adults.
- To differentiate these patterns in individuals with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal community-based and multicenter clinic-based studies were utilized.
- Participants included non-demented older adults and patients with prevalent AD.
- Autoregressive cross-lagged panel analysis examined cognitive (e.g., modified Mini-Mental State Exam) and functional (Blessed Dementia Rating Scale) measures.
Main Results:
- Cognitive scores were more consistent predictors of future functional abilities than the reverse.
- This pattern held true across non-demented older adults, those with incident dementia, and prevalent AD patients.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive decline appears to precede and drive functional decline, both before and after dementia diagnosis.
- Standardized neuropsychological tests serve as valid predictors of subsequent functional changes in older adults, irrespective of dementia status.
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