Feasibility of predicting MCI/AD using neuropsychological tests and serum β-amyloid

Abstract

We examined the usefulness of brief neuropsychological tests and serum A as a predictive test for detecting MCI/AD in older adults. Serum A 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 A142 and the ratio of serum A142/A140 were significant predictors for future MCI/AD using Cox regression with demographic variables, APOE 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 A142 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. Copyright © 2011 Cheryl A. Luis et al.