Researchers Find New Method to Measure Cognitive Impairment, Dementia

New research in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry indicates that a frailty index score could help doctors identify patients at risk for cognitive dysfunction and dementia, reports HCPLive . The data suggests health-deficit accumulation among older Americans influences the probability of progressive cognitive impairment, and the likelihood of cognitive improvement independent of the APOE e4 allele. The researchers focused on participants aged 50 and older from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Among the 9,773 participants not cognitively impaired (NCI), each 0.1 increment increase in score was associated with a greater risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Overall, the study covered 14,490 participants with a mean age of 72.2 years. The 4,717-participant MCI sub-sample at baseline showed more frailty associated with a lower probability of being reclassified as NCI from MCI, more risk of reverting to MCI in those reclassified as NCI, and more risk of progressing to dementia. "We conclude that frailty is a key risk factor for age-related cognitive dysfunction and dementia, representing both a target for interventions aimed at the prevention of age-related cognitive impairment and possible prognostic marker among those who have MCI," the authors said.