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. 2012 Jul 12:12:519.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-519.

The epidemiology of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in community-living seniors: protocol of the MemoVie cohort study, Luxembourg

Magali Perquin  1 , Anne-Marie Schuller, Michel Vaillant, Nico Diederich, Alexandre Bisdorff, Jean-Claude Leners, Marylène D'Incau, Jean-Luc Ludewig, Danielle Hoffmann, Dirk Ulbricht, Stephanie Thoma, René Dondelinger, Paul Heuschling, Sophie Couffignal, Jean-François Dartigues, Marie-Lise Lair
Affiliations

The epidemiology of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in community-living seniors: protocol of the MemoVie cohort study, Luxembourg

Magali Perquin et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are increasingly considered a major public health problem. The MemoVie cohort study aims to investigate the living conditions or risk factors under which the normal cognitive capacities of the senior population in Luxembourg (≥ 65 year-old) evolve (1) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) - transitory non-clinical stage - and (2) to AD. Identifying MCI and AD predictors undeniably constitutes a challenge in public health in that it would allow interventions which could protect or delay the occurrence of cognitive disorders in elderly people. In addition, the MemoVie study sets out to generate hitherto unavailable data, and a comprehensive view of the elderly population in the country.

Methods/design: The study has been designed with a view to highlighting the prevalence in Luxembourg of MCI and AD in the first step of the survey, conducted among participants selected from a random sample of the general population. A prospective cohort is consequently set up in the second step, and appropriate follow-up of the non-demented participants allows improving the knowledge of the preclinical stage of MCI. Case-control designs are used for cross-sectional or retrospective comparisons between outcomes and biological or clinical factors. To ensure maximal reliability of the information collected, we decided to opt for structured face to face interviews. Besides health status, medical and family history, demographic and socio-cultural information are explored, as well as education, habitat network, social behavior, leisure and physical activities. As multilingualism is expected to challenge the cognitive alterations associated with pathological ageing, it is additionally investigated. Data relative to motor function, including balance, walk, limits of stability, history of falls and accidents are further detailed. Finally, biological examinations, including ApoE genetic polymorphism are carried out. In addition to standard blood parameters, the lipid status of the participants is subsequently determined from the fatty acid profiles in their red blood cells. The study obtained the legal and ethical authorizations.

Discussion: By means of the multidisciplinary MemoVie study, new insights into the onset of cognitive impairment during aging should be put forward, much to the benefit of intervention strategies as a whole.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conduct of the study. The sample resulting from the 1st part of the study should be at least composed of cognitively normal people, MCI and AD (grey circle). This sample should allow the prevalence and case-control studies. Arrows depict the different situations/ evolutions occurring over time. The dotted line shows a potential critical situation due to wrong classification of MCI. The sample resulting from the 2nd part of the study should offer the opportunity to obtain the incidence of MCI and/or AD as well as the progression rate between stages.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Conduct of the study. CC: cognitive complaint, CI: cognitive impairment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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