Diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment as a Precursor to Dementia: Fact or Fallacy?

Shannon Z Klekociuk; Nichole K Saunders; Mathew J Summers

doi:10.1111/ap.12178

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Diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment as a Precursor to Dementia: Fact or Fallacy?

Journal article

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Diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment as a Precursor to Dementia: Fact or Fallacy?

Shannon Z Klekociuk, Nichole K Saunders and Mathew J Summers

Australian Psychologist, Vol.51(5), pp.366-373

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12178

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

diagnosis

mild cognitive impairment

reliability

sensitivity

specificity

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes a period of subclinical cognitive decline associated with an increased risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, research groups have rapidly moved from defining MCI as a risk profile for AD, to promoting MCI as a clinical diagnosis without sufficient evidence of its validity as a diagnostic entity. Specifically, the criterion, subjective change in cognition, remains controversial in light of growing evidence that subjective reports are inadequate predictors of genuine cognitive impairment. Further, operationalisation of the cognitive impairment criterion varies widely across studies in terms of which domains are assessed, and how these domains are assessed. Many studies also fail to acknowledge the psychometric limitations of neuropsychological measures and how this may impact the diagnosis of MCI. In addition, recent research indicates that MCI is longitudinally unstable, with up to 48% of those diagnosed with MCI "recovering" to age appropriate levels of functioning over time. While the MCI concept as it is currently defined may be useful in terms of indicating a risk profile, its ability to sensitively and specifically identify those who will transition to a clinical state remains questionable.

Details

Title: Diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment as a Precursor to Dementia: Fact or Fallacy?
Authors: Shannon Z Klekociuk (Author) - University of Tasmania
Nichole K Saunders (Author) - University of Tasmania
Mathew J Summers (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Publication details: Australian Psychologist, Vol.51(5), pp.366-373
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1111/ap.12178
ISSN: 0005-0067
Organisation Unit: School of Health; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449688402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Multidisciplinary

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