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Updated: May 7, 2026

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Treatment for mild cognitive impairment: systematic review
Claudia Cooper1, Ryan Li, Constantine Lyketsos
1Claudia Cooper, MRCPsych, PhD, Ryan Li, BSc, Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, UK; Constantine Lyketsos, MD, MHS, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Gill Livingston, FRCPsych, MD, Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, UK.
No current interventions effectively slow cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Further research is needed to identify effective treatments for this dementia precursor.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is increasingly prevalent and often precedes dementia.
- Effective strategies to prevent or slow MCI progression remain unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for MCI.
- To evaluate the impact of interventions on cognitive, neuropsychiatric, functional, and global outcomes, quality of life, and dementia incidence.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 41 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
- Study validity was assessed using a checklist.
- Standardized outcomes were calculated, with a focus on placebo-controlled studies.
Main Results:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors showed no effect in reducing dementia incidence.
- Single trials indicated cognitive improvements with psychological group interventions, piribedil (dopamine agonist), and donepezil.
- Nicotine demonstrated attention improvement; Huannao Yicong showed equivocal cognitive and social functioning benefits.
Conclusions:
- No intervention demonstrated replicated efficacy in preventing dementia progression.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors and rofecoxib were found ineffective for dementia prevention.
- High-quality RCTs are necessary, with preliminary evidence supporting psychological interventions and piribedil.
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