Feasibility of Predicting MCI/AD Using Neuropsychological Tests and Serum β-Amyloid. (24th May 2011) - Luis, Cheryl A.
Abstract : We examined the usefulness of brief neuropsychological tests and serum A β as a predictive test for detecting MCI/AD in older adults. Serum A β levels were measured from 208 subjects who were cognitively normal at enrollment and blood draw. Twenty-eight of the subjects subsequently developed MCI (n=18 ) or AD (n=10 ) over the follow-up period. Baseline measures of global cognition, memory, language fluency, and serum A β 1–42 and the ratio of serum A β 1–42 /A β 1–40 were significant predictors for future MCI/AD using Cox regression with demographic variables, APOE ε 4, vascular risk factors, and specific medication as covariates. An optimal sensitivity of 85.2% and specificity of 86.5% for predicting MCI/AD was achieved using ROC analyses. Brief neuropsychological tests and measurements of A β 1–42 obtained via blood warrants further study as a practical and cost effective method for wide-scale screening for identifying older adults who may be at-risk for pathological cognitive decline.