Mild cognitive impairment longitudinal cohort study
Previous studies indicate that 10-15 per cent of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will develop dementia each year. Further, approximately 50 per cent of persons diagnosed with MCI develop Alzheimer's dementia within three years. As only 1-2 per cent of adults over 55 years of age will develop Alzheimer's dementia each year, having MCI seems to significantly increase the risk for developing dementia.
Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to predict which individuals with MCI will:
(a) develop Alzheimer's dementia;
(b) develop another type of dementia;
c) remain stable (memory problems persist but do not worsen); or
(d) recover. The project is an ongoing longitudinal study following adults with and without MCI over time.
On an annual basis each person undergoes comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. This enables us to identify at the earliest stages the development of Alzheimer's dementia, and it is hoped will enable us to isolate neuropsychological markers that predict risk for later developing Alzheimer's dementia in those with MCI.
Accurately identifying those adults with MCI who are at risk of later developing Alzheimer's dementia will allow future suffers to receive medication that slows or prevents the progression of dementia before the onset of dementia.
Group Leader & Contact Person
Dr Matthew Summers, Research Fellow
Research Team
Ms Nichole Saunders, PhD candidate, School of Psychology, UTAS
Dr Tracey Dickson, WDREC Senior Research Fellow
Professor James Vickers, WDREC Co-Director
Professor Andrew Robinson, WDREC Co-Director
Dr Christine Stirling, WDREC Senior Research Fellow
Internal Collaborator
Professor Jeffery Summers, School of Psychology, UTAS
Relevant Publications
1. Saunders NLJ, Summers MJ. Attention and working memory deficits in mild cognitive impairment. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. In press.
2. Saunders NL, Summers MJ. Deficits to attention and working memory in subtypes of MCI. Australian J of Psychol. 2008, 60 (supp 1): 222
3. Saunders NL, Summers MJ. Deficits to attention and working memory in MCI and Alzheimer's dementia. Australian J of Psychol. 2007, 59 (supp 1):227.
