AD dementia risk in late MCI, in early MCI, and in subjective memory impairment

Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Jan;10(1):76-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2012.09.017. Epub 2013 Jan 30.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia in late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI), early MCI (EMCI), and subjective memory impairment (SMI) with normal test performance.

Methods: The baseline sample (n = 2892) of the prospective cohort study in nondemented individuals (German Study on Aging, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients) was divided into LMCI, EMCI, SMI, and control subjects by delayed recall performance. These groups were subdivided by the presence of self-reported concerns associated with experienced memory impairment. AD dementia risk was assessed over 6 years.

Results: Across all groups, risk of AD dementia was greatest in LMCI. In those with self-reported concerns regarding their memory impairment, SMI and EMCI were associated with a similarly increased risk of AD dementia. In those subgroups without concerns, SMI was not associated with increased risk of AD dementia, but EMCI remained an at-risk condition.

Conclusions: SMI and EMCI with self-reported concerns were associated with the same risk of AD dementia, suggesting that pre-LMCI risk conditions should be extended to SMI with concerns.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease dementia; Mild cognitive impairment; Prospective cohort study; Risk; Subjective memory impairment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / mortality
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
  • Apolipoprotein E4 / genetics
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / epidemiology*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / mortality
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis
  • Memory Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Risk
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4