Is there an MCI reversion to cognitively normal? Analysis of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers profiles

Abstract

Background: We investigated the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) reversion to cognitively normal (CN).

Methods: Of a total of 1,233 participants from the ADNI database, 42 participants with MCI reversion to CN (MCIr), 778 with MCI, and 413 CN were obtained. We evaluated demographics, clinical outcomes, medication use, MCI type, and AD biomarkers, including genetic, cerebrospinal fluid, imaging, and neuropsychological data.

Results: This study showed that the differences between MCIr and CN were only age, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Clinical Dementia Rating - Sum of Boxes, but the differences between MCIr and MCI were not only clinical outcomes but also AD biomarkers, including genetic, cerebrospinal fluid, imaging, and neuropsychological data. Overall, MCIr may be similar to CN and not MCI in clinical characteristics.

Conclusions: With assessment of MCI reversion to CN, the possibility of false-positive errors should be considered. With the assistance of AD biomarkers, MCI can be evaluated more accurately than the conventional criteria.

Keywords: biomarkers.