Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract. MCI is a nosological entity proposed as an intermediate state between normal aging and dementia. The syndrome can be divided into two broad subtypes: amnestic MCI (aMCI) characterized by reduced memory, and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) in which other cognitive functions rather than memory are mostly impaired. aMCI seems to represent an early stage of AD, while the outcomes of the naMCI subtypes appear more heterogeneous -including vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies-but this aspect is still under debate. MCI in fact represents a condition with multiple sources of heterogeneity, including clinical presentation, etiology, and prognosis. To improve classification and prognosis, there is a need for more sensitive instruments specifically developed for MCI as well as for more reliable methods to determine its progression or improvement. Current clinical criteria for MCI should be updated to include restriction in complex ADL; also the diagnostic and prognostic role of behavioral symptoms and motor dysfunctions should be better defined. A multidisciplinary diagnostic approach including biological and neuroimaging techniques may probably represent the best option to predict the conversion from MCI to dementia. In this review we discuss the most recent aspects related to the epidemiological, clinical, neuropathological, neuroimaging, biochemical and therapeutic aspects of MCI, with specific attention to possible markers of conversion to dementia.

Psychometric properties of pain intensity scales comparing among postoperative adult patients, elderly patients without and with mild cognitive impairment in China

“…The management of mild CI is currently non specific. The proposed methods may involve control of vascular risk factors, treatment of a concomitant condition such as depression or hypothyroidism, and reduction in the use of anticholinergic drugs (Mariani, Monastero, & Mecocci, 2007). Besides the above approaches for treating mild CI, the psychosocial and nutritional interventions for preventing cognitive decline have also gained considerable attention recently (Petersen & Negash).…”

“…These cognitively stimulating activities can involve reading a book, playing a game, or listening to a radio program. In addition, an active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life protects against dementia and AD (Mariani et al, 2007). The nutrition intervention is also found to have the ability for protecting against cognitive decline (Petersen & Negash).…”

The advanced activities of daily living: A tool allowing the evaluation of subtle functional decline in mild cognitive impairment

“…While activities of daily living (ADL) are most often impaired in dementia, they should remain relatively intact in MCI. Nevertheless, several studies have demonstrated subtle but obvious problems in MCI patients for more complex ADL [4][5][6][7].…”

Relationship between cognitive function and 6-minute walking test in older outpatients with chronic heart failure

“…Epidemiological studies have linked cognitive impairment to a higher risk of dementia, institutionalization and mortality (4). In the elderly, the incidence and prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF) is high (5), causing elevated disability, cardiac and non-cardiac death (6).…”