One-year outcome of Shanghai mild cognitive impairment cohort study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors associated with the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia for the early detection of AD.

METHODS: The study comprised a prospective cohort study that included 400 MCI subjects with annual follow-ups for 3 years.

RESULTS: During the first 12 months' follow-up, 42 subjects converted to Alzheimer's dementia (21 probable AD and 21 possible AD), two subjects converted to other types of dementia and 56 subjects lost follow. The factors associated with a greater risk of conversion from MCI to AD included gender, whole brain volume, and right hippocampal volume (rt. HV), as well as scores on the Revised Chinese version of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale 13 (ADAS-Cog-C), clock drawing test (CDT), symbol digit modalities test (SDMT), and Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCFT). The risk classification of the combined ADAS-Cog-C and Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (ACC) score with the rt. HV and left entorhinal cortex volume (lt. ECV) showed a conversion difference among the groups.

CONCLUSION: Early detection of AD and potential selection for clinical trial design should utilize the rt. HV, as well as neuropsychological test scores, including those of the ADAS-Cog-C and ACC.