A Cognitive Turning Point in Development of Clinical Alzheimer's Disease Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Biracial Population Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cognitive changes during the preclinical phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia have been characterized among European Americans (EAs), but studies of preclinical changes among African Americans (AAs) are notably absent.

Methods

Preclinical changes in cognition before the development of AD dementia and mild cognitive impairment over a period of 18 years were examined using change points in a biracial sample of 2,125 older adults.

Results

Of 2,125 participants, 442 (21%) developed AD dementia and 661 (31%) developed mild cognitive impairment. A cognitive change point occurred between 4 and 5 years before the clinical diagnosis of AD dementia. Differences between AAs and EAs were observed: EAs had a higher starting level of composite cognitive function, a

SUBMITTER: Rajan KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5965301 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature