Mild cognitive impairment in adult: A neuropsychological review

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. This is clinically relevant overt dementia can be prevented if treatment strategies are devised for MCI. Neuropsychological deficits in this condition are very common and are important clinically for treatment and outcomes. We aimed to review various neuropsychological deficits in MCI. Further, we have presented the current evidence for nosological status, neuroanatomical basis, and clinical outcome of this heterogeneous construct. All published papers on the topic of neuropsychological deficits in MCI on Medline and other databases were reviewed. A wide range of memory and executive function deficits are common in MCI patients. However, several studies are limited by either improper designs or inadequate sample sizes. Several neuropsychological impairments like memory function and executive functions can be diagnosed in MCI. The evidence base for the exact neuroanatomical basis of MCI is not robust yet. However, given the wide range of outcomes, controversies and debates exist regarding the nosological significance of the deficits. Hence, more studies are needed to specifically locate the impairments and further delineate the construct of MCI.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms and faster progression of cognitive impairments as predictors of risk of conversion of mild cognitive impairment to dementia

“…In the literature, not only the dynamics of progression of impairments are stressed as important, but also the kind of cognitive dysfunctions. In particular, impaired delayed associative memory at baseline can be a potential predictor indicating a high risk of conversion to dementia [ 7 , 33 , 34 ].…”

“…Another difficulty in researching MCI is the lack of precise criteria for this category of impairments [ 4 , 5 ]. Despite significant recent advances, the boundaries of this category are not well defined [ 5 – 7 ].…”

“…At first it seemed that the distinction between forms of MCI, such as affecting one or many areas of cognitive functioning, as well as with or without memory impairment, would have a significant predictive value [ 7 , 9 ].…”

Construct validity and reliability of the Test Your Memory Chinese version in older neurology outpatient attendees

“…Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other subtypes of dementia, affects many more people [ 2 , 7 ], who always represents a transitional status between healthy aging and dementia. Its’ prevalence has been reported to be between 10 and 20% in people older than 65 years [ 8 ].…”

Associations of serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E with the risk of cognitive impairment among elderly Koreans

“…Cognitive impairment is a pre-stage of dementia. The conversion rate of mild cognitive impairment to dementia is approximately 10% [ 2 ]. According to a nationwide study in 2008, patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment may increase from 13.2 million to 26.6 million by 2050 [ 3 ].…”