Neuropsychological tools to predict conversion from amnestic mild cognitive impairment to dementia. The TREDEM Registry

Introduction - Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is widely considered to be a phase of transition between normality and dementia. Most of the studies about conversion from MCI to dementia have focused on amnestic MCI (aMCI) which is considered a preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The aim of the present study was to identify neuropsychological tools that would best predict conversion from aMCI to dementia. Method - Fifty-five aMCI subjects on the Treviso Dementia (TREDEM) Registry were investigated. They underwent a neuropsychological evaluation during their first assessment and again at follow-up. Cox proportional-hazard regression models were created to measure the association between the dependent variable (dementia diagnosis or MCI status maintenance) and independent variables (neuropsychological test scores at baseline). Results - The sample (28 women and 27 men; mean age 76.82 ± 5.88 yrs; education 7.62 ± 3.99 yrs) was observed for an average time of 2.17 ± 1.25 yrs. A Cox backward stepwise regression showed that the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Delayed Recall (RAVLT-DR) (p=.041) and Semantic Verbal Fluency (SVF) tests (p=.031) appear to be useful in predicting conversion to dementia. Age and education were significant respectively as risk (OR=1.116) and protective (OR=0.81) factors.