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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered to be an early stage of a neurodegenerative
disorder, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, and the clinical diagnosis requires the objective
demonstration of cognitive deficits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the
predictive value of MCI for the conversion to dementia when using four different verbal memory
tests (Logical Memory, LM; California Verbal Learning Test, CVLT; Verbal Paired-Associate
Learning, VPAL; and Digit Span, DS) in the MCI criteria. Methods: Participants were consecutive
patients with subjective cognitive complaints who performed a comprehensive neuropsychological
evaluation and were not demented, observed in a memory clinic setting. Results: At
baseline, 272 non-demented patients reporting subjective cognitive complaints were included.
During the follow-up time (3.0 +- 1.9 years), 58 patients converted to dementia and 214 did not.
Statistically significant differences between the converters and non-converters were present in
LM, VPAL, and CVLT. A multivariate Cox regression analysis combining the four memory tests
revealed that only the CVLT test remained significant as a predictor of conversion to dementia.
Non-demented patients with cognitive complaints diagnosed as having MCI according to abnormal
( < 1.5 SD) learning in the CVLT test had a 3.61 higher risk of becoming demented during
the follow-up. Conclusion: The verbal memory assessment using the CVLT should be preferred
in the diagnostic criteria of MCI for a more accurate prediction of conversion to dementia.
Description
Keywords
Mild cognitive impairment Diagnostic criteria Preclinical dementia Alzheimer’s disease Memory impairment
Citation
Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra, 2, 120-131