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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

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Population Attributable Fraction for Cognitive Impairment in Mexican American Older Adults

Mellanie V Springer1, Wen Chang2, Steven G Heeringa2

  • 1Department of Neurology and Stroke Program, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center drive, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. mvsprin@med.umich.edu.

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
|October 14, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Low education and heart conditions significantly increase mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD/ADRD) cases in Mexican American adults. Addressing these factors could prevent over half of AD/ADRD cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Public Health
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • The impact of modifiable risk factors on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) in Hispanic/Latin (a,o,x) adults remains unclear.
  • Understanding these contributions is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the population attributable fraction (PAF) for MCI and AD/ADRD.
  • To quantify the proportion of cases potentially eliminated by addressing modifiable risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis within a prospective cohort of Mexican American older adults (2018-2023).
  • Logistic regression used to assess odds of probable MCI/ADRD based on education, comorbidities, smoking, and alcohol use.
  • PAF calculated for individual and combined modifiable risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of MCI was 48% and AD/ADRD was 23% in 1,272 participants.
  • Low educational attainment showed a PAF of 17% for MCI and 52% for AD/ADRD.
  • Cardiovascular factors (heart disease, diabetes, stroke) and elimination of all factors were associated with significant PAFs for MCI and AD/ADRD.

Conclusions:

  • Low educational attainment and cardiovascular comorbidities are major contributors to MCI and AD/ADRD in Mexican American adults.
  • Interventions targeting these modifiable risk factors could substantially reduce the burden of cognitive decline in this population.
Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease and related dementiasEducationMild cognitive impairmentPopulation attributable fraction

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