Original Research Article

Follow-Up of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Related Disorders over Four Years in Adults in Their Sixties: The PATH Through Life Study
Kaarin J. Anstey^a, Nicolas Cherbuin^a, Helen Christensen^a, Richard Burns^a, Chantal Reglade-Meslin^a, Agus Salim^a, Rajeev Kumar^a, Anthony F. Jorm^b, Perminder Sachdev<sup>c

a</sup>Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T.,
^bORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., and
^cSchool of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia

Address of Corresponding Author

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2008;26:226-233 (DOI: 10.1159/000154646)

  Key Words

• Cognition disorders
• Cognitive decline
• Cognitive tests
• Early diagnosis
• Epidemiology
• Longitudinal assessment
• Mild cognitive impairment

  Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to estimate incidence rates of mild cognitive impairment and related disorders, and conversion to dementia. Methods: The data are drawn from the PATH Through Life Study. Baseline assessment in 2001-2002 included 2,551 participants 60-64 years old with 2,222 participating in a 4-year follow-up. Those screened positive with a cognitive assessment received clinical assessment for diagnoses of mild cognitive disorders (MCD) or dementia using established clinical criteria. Prevalence and incidence rates for the cohort were estimated with predictive regression models. Results: Annual incidence of dementia was 0.25%. Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment was 4.2%, age-associated memory impairment was 2.4%, age-associated cognitive decline was 7.6%, mild neurocognitive disorders occurred in 12.9% and other cognitive disorders in 7.3%. Prevalence of any diagnosis of any MCD (Any-MCD) was 29.5% and the annual incidence rate for Any-MCD was 5.7%. Agreement for specific diagnoses between waves 1 and 2 was fair to poor (0-47.0%), but agreement for Any-MCD over 4 years was 89.0%. Conclusion: MCD diagnoses do not predict dementia at a 4-year follow-up in young-old adults. Prevalence rates for MCD vary greatly depending on the criteria and time of assessment.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

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  Author Contacts

Kaarin J. Anstey, PhD
Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University
Building 63, Eggleston Road
Canberra, ACT 0200 (Australia)
Tel. +61 2 6125 8410, Fax +61 2 6125 0733, E-Mail kaarin.anstey@anu.edu.au

  Article Information

Accepted: June 27, 2008
Published online: September 11, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 51

  Publication Details

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders

Vol. 26, No. 3, Year 2008 (Cover Date: October 2008)

Journal Editor: Chan-Palay V. (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1420-8008 (Print), eISSN: 1421-9824 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/DEM

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