Open AccessExtensive memory testing improves prediction of progression to MCI in late middle age
Author(s) -
Gustavson Daniel E.,
Elman Jeremy A.,
SandersonCimino Mark,
Franz Carol E.,
Panizzon Matthew S.,
Jak Amy J.,
Reynolds Chandra A.,
Neale Michael C.,
Lyons Michael J.,
Kremen William S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: diagnosis, assessment and disease monitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.497
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2352-8729
DOI - 10.1002/dad2.12004
Subject(s) - biomarker , neuropsychology , psychology , neuropsychological test , medicine , clinical psychology , gerontology , cognition , psychiatry , biochemistry , chemistry
Predicting risk for Alzheimer's disease when most people are likely still biomarker negative would aid earlier identification. We hypothesized that combining multiple memory tests and scores in middle‐aged adults would provide useful, and non‐invasive, prediction of 6‐year progression to MCI. Methods We examined 849 men who were cognitively normal at baseline (mean age ± SD = 55.69 ± 2.45). Results California Verbal Learning Test learning trials was the best individual predictor of amnestic MCI (OR = 4.75). A latent factor incorporating seven measures across three memory tests provided much stronger prediction (OR = 9.88). This compared favorably with biomarker‐based prediction in a study of much older adults. Discussion Neuropsychological tests are sensitive and early indicators of MCI risk at an age when few individuals are likely to have yet become biomarker positive. The single best measures may appear time‐ and cost‐effective, but 30 additional minutes of testing and use of multiple scores within tests provide substantially improved prediction.