Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Sensory impairment and algorithmic classification of early cognitive impairment
Yurun Cai1,2, Jennifer A Schrack1,3, Alden L Gross1,3
1Department of Epidemiology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USA.
Introduction:
Sensory impairment (SI) is linked to cognitive decline, but its association with early cognitive impairment (ECI) is unclear.
Methods:
Sensory functions (vision, hearing, vestibular function, proprioception, and olfaction) were measured between 2012 and 2018 in 414 Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) participants (age 74 ± 9 years; 55% women). ECI was defined as 1 standard deviation below age-, sex-, race-, and education-specific mean performance in Card Rotations or California Verbal Learning Test immediate recall. Log binomial models (cross-sectional analysis) and Cox regression models (time-to-event analysis) were used to examine the association between SI and ECI.
Results:
Cross-sectionally, participants with ≥3 SI had twice the prevalence of ECI (prevalence ratio = 2.10, p = 0.02). Longitudinally, there was no significant association between SI and incident ECI over up to 6 years of follow-up.
Discussion:
SI is associated with higher prevalence, but not incident ECI. Future studies with large sample sizes need to further elucidate the relationship between SI and ECI.
Highlights:
Sensory impairment is associated with high prevalence of early cognitive impairmentMultisensory impairment may pose a strong risk of early changes in cognitive functionIdentifying multisensory impairment may help early detection of dementia.
Related Concept Videos
Visual Agnosia
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Information Processing Approach
Language and Cognition
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

