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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
12:18

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

Published on: January 11, 2020

Plasma Biomarkers and Clinical Indicators for Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults With Psychiatric

Camilla Elefante1, Maria Francesca Beatino2, Daniela Marro3

  • 1Independent Researcher, Pisa, Italy.

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
|August 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in older psychiatric patients is linked to higher levels of neurodegeneration biomarkers like p-tau217 and NfL. These findings suggest combining cognitive, psychiatric, and biomarker tests can aid early dementia risk detection.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI) can precede neurodegenerative diseases.
  • The link between MCI, MBI, and plasma biomarkers in psychiatric populations is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association of MCI with plasma biomarkers of neurodegeneration (p-tau217, NfL), metabolic changes, psychiatric features, and MBI.
  • To explore MCI predictors in older adults undergoing psychiatric treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty-one non-demented patients aged 60+ with mood/anxiety disorders were assessed.
  • Participants were categorized as MCI (n=20) or non-MCI (n=31) based on cognitive tests.
  • Evaluations included psychiatric, cognitive, functional, and plasma biomarker (p-tau217, NfL) measures.

Main Results:

  • MCI patients showed elevated plasma p-tau217 and NfL levels.
  • MCI was associated with lower cognitive scores, a trend toward reduced functioning, later psychiatric symptom onset, and higher MBI prevalence.
  • Plasma NfL levels were identified as a significant marker for MCI in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Integrating cognitive, psychiatric, and plasma biomarker assessments may enhance early detection of dementia risk.
  • Elevated neurodegeneration biomarkers in MCI patients highlight potential prodromal neurodegeneration in psychiatric populations.
Keywords:
mild behavioral impairmentmild cognitive impairmentneuropsychiatric symptomsp-tau217plasma biomarkers

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