Early identification and heritability of mild cognitive impairment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Identifying mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in midlife could improve early identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Also, AD is highly heritable, but the heritability of MCI has not been established. We estimated prevalence rates, association with premorbid general cognitive ability (GCA) and heritability for different definitions of neuropsychologically defined MCI in adults in their 50s.

Method

We examined 1126 twins aged 51-59 years when recruited into the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA). Six neurocognitive domains were assessed using tests designed to avoid ceiling effects. To differentiate MCI from low overall ability, criteria included adjustment for GCA measured at approximately age 20 years.

Results

As in older adults, prevalence rates va

SUBMITTER: Kremen WS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3997374 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature