summary: Recent studies have shown the potential for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to dementia, in people who report subjective decline in cognitive function but show only minor deficits on tests. A predictive indicator has been revealed.
The study, which included 439 participants with an average age of 71 years, found that those with mild test deficiencies were more than four times more likely to progress to MCI than those without test deficiencies. .
Participants with both self-reported cognitive decline and mild test deficits were more likely to have higher cognitive deficits, which suggests an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. also showed brain protein change biomarkers.
This enlightening study not only highlights the importance of nuanced testing in cognitive health assessment, but also advances our understanding of the potential for early intervention in managing trajectories of cognitive degeneration.
Important facts:
- interesting correlation: People with subjective cognitive decline and mild test deficiencies were more than four times as likely to progress to mild cognitive impairment.
- amazing probability: demonstrated that individuals who experience a decline in subjective cognitive function along with mild test deficiencies have an astonishing estimated 84% chance of developing MCI within 4 years.
- Biomarker link: Participants with both subjective cognitive decline and mild test deficits showed higher levels of brain protein change biomarkers, suggesting an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
sauce: Aan
Some people who report problems with memory or thinking skills may show no signs of problems on standardized tests, while others may show subtle declines on tests.
New research shows that people with subtle problems on these tests may be at higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia.
The study will be published online in the October 11, 2023 issue. neurology.
“Several studies have shown that people with decreased subjective cognitive function are at increased risk of dementia,” said study author Dr. Michael Wagner from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Bonn. Ta.
“Our results show that people with subjective cognitive decline who have mild test deficiencies, or who have early signs of memory or thinking problems that have not yet been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, are more likely to have memory impairment. Testing for these deficits in people with self-reported functional decline may identify those at increased risk of progressing to mild cognitive impairment. It may be helpful.”
The study involved 439 people with subjective cognitive decline, with an average age of 71 years and without dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
Participants completed a series of tests to assess thinking and memory skills. Tests include memorizing lists, copying drawings, and accurately identifying time frames and current locations. Mild test deficiencies were defined as having scores at least 0.5 standard deviations below the mean score.
Mild cognitive impairment was diagnosed by a panel of researchers who examined each participant’s performance across multiple tests. A diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment required a test score at least 1.5 standard deviations below the mean.
Among those with subjective cognitive decline, 13% (55 people) had mild test deficiencies at the start of the study, and 87% (384 people) had no mild deficiencies. Participants were then followed for an average of three years to see who developed mild cognitive impairment.
After controlling for age and gender, researchers found that people with both subjective cognitive decline and mild test deficiencies were more likely to progress to mild cognitive impairment than those without mild cognitive impairment. was found to be more than 4 times higher.
Researchers found that among people with subjective cognitive decline, 17% or 58 people who had no mild impairment progressed to mild cognitive impairment, and 48% or 24 people who had mild impairment. .
The researchers also found that people with decreased subjective cognitive function and mild test deficiencies had a 36% chance of developing mild cognitive impairment within two years, and an estimated probability of developing mild cognitive impairment within four years. They also found that the probability was 84%.
They also found that people with lower subjective cognitive function and milder test deficiencies had higher levels of biomarkers that measure changes in proteins in the brain, indicating an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our findings shed new light on the association between subjective and objective decline before diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease,” Wagner said. “Future research may help physicians measure and communicate personal risk for people with subjective cognitive decline.”
This study has the limitation of only including people of European descent, so it may not be generalizable to people from other populations.
Funding: This study was supported by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases.
About cognitive decline and neurological research news this time
author: Natalie Conrad
sauce: Aan
contact: Natalie Conrad – AAN
image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: The findings appear below neurology
