[Vascular damage and cognitive-functional performance in a population with mild cognitive impairment]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroimaging
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) can be a predemential stage for conditions like Vascular Dementia (VD).
• Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and VD share risk factors, and mixed dementia (AD with vascular comorbidity) is common.
• Assessing structural vascular damage is crucial for understanding cognitive decline in MCI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of structural vascular damage severity, using the Fazekas classification, on cognitive performance in MCI patients.
• To investigate the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and functional cognitive abilities.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 346 MCI patients (≥65 years) with brain MRI.
• Cognitive function assessed using a neurocognitive battery and the Extended Functional Study (EFE) scale.
• Patients categorized by Fazekas classification (F0-1, F2, F3); bivariate and multivariate analyses performed.

Main Results:

• 66.2% of patients had Fazekas score 0-1, 22.8% had F2, and 11% had F3.
• Multivariate analysis revealed an independent association between vascular damage severity and impaired complex functionality (EFE scale).
• Age and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Progressive white matter damage correlates with global cognitive decline and executive function deficits in MCI.
• The degree of vascular damage is significantly associated with reduced complex functionality, measurable by clinical tools.
• Identifying individuals with prodromal VD is vital for optimizing preventive interventions.