Short-term memory loss and other signs of mild cognitive impairment appear to be a better Alzheimer’s disease predictor than levels of cerebrospinal fluid proteins and other biomarkers, according to a new study.
The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, involved 116 participants with mild cognitive impairment who went on to develop Alzheimer’s within two years, 204 with MCI who didn’t get the brain-wasting disease, and 197 people without cognitive difficulties, Health Day reports.
Researchers collected samples of cerebrospinal fluid, used magnetic resonance imaging to determine brain volume and cortical thickness, and did other testing of biomarkers. They also measured levels of MCI, which in addition to short-term memory loss can involve lapses of poor judgment, difficulty getting around familiar places, unusual demonstrations of aggression, and depression.
Two measures of MCI and cortical thickness of the brain’s left middle temporal lobe were associated with a greater risk of the delayed memory condition leading to Alzheimer’s, scientists determined.
Short-Term Memory Loss May Be Best Predictor of Alzheimer's
Symptoms of 'mild cognitive impairment' outperformed other screening tests, study found
MONDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Mild cognitive impairment -- marked by a loss in short-term memory in particular -- may be a stronger predictor of Alzheimer's disease than so-called "biomarkers," which include things such as changes in brain volume or levels of certain proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, a new study suggests.
Spanish researchers looked at 116 people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who developed Alzheimer's disease within two years, 204 patients with the condition who didn't develop Alzheimer's and 197 people with no cognitive problems.
Mild cognitive impairment is usually marked by difficulties with short-term memory, such as losing your train of thought repeatedly or having trouble remembering what you did yesterday. You may begin to demonstrate uncharacteristically poor judgment or have trouble finding your way around familiar places. Some people may also develop depression or anxiety, or show signs of unusual irritation, aggression or apathy.
People with MCI can generally recall events in the more distant past in detail, however, and are usually able to reason, solve problems and communicate well with others in spite of relatively minor memory loss. In addition, not all cases of MCI progress to Alzheimer's disease.
Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from the participants at the start of the study and at annual visits for two years. Blood samples gathered at the start of the study were analyzed for genes associated with Alzheimer's, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess the participants' brain volume and cortical thickness.
The researchers found that two measures of delayed memory, along with the cortical thickness of the left middle temporal lobe in the brain, were associated with a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment developing into Alzheimer's.
Mild cognitive impairment at the start of the study was a stronger predictor of Alzheimer's than most biomarkers, the researchers concluded.
The study appears in the September issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
More information
The Alzheimer's Association has more about mild cognitive impairment.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: JAMA/Archives journals, news release, Sept. 5, 2011
Last Updated: Sept. 06, 2011
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