Psychiatria pre prax 2–3/2010

Mild cognitive impairment in clinical practices

A clinical transitional state between the cognitive changes of aging and dementia is referred to as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Clinical subtypes of MCI have been recognized, they include prodromal forms of a variety of dementias. Most of the literature refers to the amnestic form of MCI (a-MCI), which is likely a precursor of Alzheimer´s disease (AD). The rate of conversion from a-MCI to AD is estimated to 10–15 % per year, therefore MCI has generated a great deal of research. Better understanding of this syndrome has lead to invention of biomarkers related to AD pathology mainly including CSF biomarkers, MRI volumetry and PET imaging. These will help to predict the risk of conversion from MCI to dementia. Modern criteria for MCI are available and reliable. MCI is a potential target population for disease modifying therapies; therefore identifying this syndrome should become a routine part of clinical practice.

Keywords: dementia, mild cognitive impairment, diagnostics.