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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.
Background:
More people are presenting with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), frequently a precursor to dementia, but we do not know how to reduce deterioration.
Aims:
To systematically review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of any intervention for MCI on cognitive, neuropsychiatric, functional, global outcomes, life quality or incident dementia.
Method:
We reviewed 41 studies fitting predetermined criteria, assessed validity using a checklist, calculated standardised outcomes and prioritised primary outcome findings in placebo-controlled studies.
Results:
The strongest evidence was that cholinesterase inhibitors did not reduce incident dementia. Cognition improved in single trials of: a heterogeneous psychological group intervention over 6 months; piribedil, a dopamine agonist over 3 months; and donepezil over 48 weeks. Nicotine improved attention over 6 months. There was equivocal evidence that Huannao Yicong improved cognition and social functioning.
Conclusions:
There was no replicated evidence that any intervention was effective. Cholinesterase inhibitors and rofecoxib are ineffective in preventing dementia. Further good-quality RCTs are needed and preliminary evidence suggests these should include trials of psychological group interventions and piribedil.
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