Mild cognitive impairment detected in 20% over age 70. (Increased Risk for Alzheimer's).
STOCKHOLM -- Nearly 20% of nondemented people over age 70 meet the criteria for mild cognitive impairment, Dr. Oscar L. Lopez reported at the Eighth International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders.Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a relatively new diagnostic entity, designates individuals thought to be at increased risk for progression to Alzheimer's disease but who do not yet have signs of dementia. The amnestic type is associated only with memory deficits; the multiple cognitive domain type covers a broader range of cognitive impairments, including memory.
Previous studies have estimated. MCI prevalence rates at anywhere from 3% to 76%, depending upon the study population and the definition of MCI, noted Dr. Lopez of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Modified Mini-Mental State Examination and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test were administered annually from 1988 to 1999 to 5,888 subjects. Participants were age 65 and older, and 687 were African American. Most subjects underwent magnetic resonance brain imaging in 1992-1994, and again in 1997-1998. Ali had detailed neurologic and neuropsychological exams at the end of the study period.
Of 3,602 subjects who had an MRI in 1992-1994, dementia was found in 707 (20%); 577 (16%) had MCI, and 2,318 (64%) had no deficits. Among the 2,895 nondemented subjects, prevalence of MCI was 19%, increasing with age from 15% at age 75 to 31% in those aged 90 and older, said Dr. Lopez, also of the departments of neurology and psychiatry at the university.
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| Publication: | Internal Medicine News |
|---|---|
| Article Type: | Brief Article |
| Geographic Code: | 1USA |
| Date: | Oct 1, 2002 |
| Words: | 251 |
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