Predicting the time of conversion to MCI in the elderly: role of verbal expression and learning.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Increasing awareness that minimal or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly may be a precursor of dementia has led to an increase in the number of people attending memory clinics. We aimed to develop a way of predicting the period of time before cognitive impairment occurs in community-dwelling elderly. The method is illustrated by the use of simple tests of different cognitive domains.

Methods

A cohort of 241 normal elderly volunteers was followed for up to 20 years with regular assessments of cognitive abilities using the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG); 91 participants developed MCI. We used interval-censored survival analysis statistical methods to model which baseline cognitive tests best predicted the time to convert to MCI.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Oulhaj A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2882176 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature