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. 2022 Jan;30(1):54-64.
doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2021.04.004. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Diagnostic Precision in the Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Comparison of Two Approaches

Andrea M Weinstein  1 , Swathi Gujral  2 , Meryl A Butters  3 , Christopher R Bowie  4 , Corinne E Fischer  5 , Alastair J Flint  6 , Nathan Herrmann  7 , James L Kennedy  8 , Linda Mah  9 , Shima Ovaysikia  10 , Bruce G Pollock  8 , Tarek K Rajji  8 , Benoit H Mulsant  8 ; PACt-MD Study Group.
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Diagnostic Precision in the Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Comparison of Two Approaches

Andrea M Weinstein et al. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: This study compared diagnostic rates and clinical predictors of discrepancies between diagnoses conferred via: 1) a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) criteria versus 2) a cognitive screener and Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria.

Design: Cross-sectional examination of baseline data from the Prevention of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) using Cognitive remediation and transcranial direct current stimulation in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Depression (PACt-MD; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02386670) trial.

Setting: Five geriatric psychiatry and memory clinics located at academic hospitals affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.

Participants: Older adults (N = 431) with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) in remission, MCI, or both.

Measurements: Main outcome was a comparison of NIA-AA diagnostic rates of MCI or dementia versus DSM-5 rates of mild or major neurocognitive disorder. Secondary analyses examined demographic, race, gender, premorbid intellectual ability, psychosocial, health-related, and genetic predictors of discrepancy between DSM-5 and NIA-AA diagnoses.

Results: There were 103 (23.8%) discrepant cases, with most (91; 88.3%) of these discrepant cases reflecting more impairment with the detailed neuropsychological testing and NIA-AA criteria. Discrepancies were more likely in individuals with a history of MDD or who had at least one ApoE4 allele.

Conclusion: The NIA-AA criteria, in conjunction with comprehensive neuropsychological testing, identified a greater prevalence of cognitive impairment than DSM-5 criteria, in conjunction with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Detailed neuropsychological evaluations are recommended for older adults who have a history of MDD or a genetic vulnerability to dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer's; cognition; dementia; mild cognitive impairment.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Flow chart of process resulting in final study sample. CC: consensus conference; MoCA: montreal cognitive assessment; MDD: major depressive disorder; MCI: mild cognitive impairment
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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