Practice effects predict cognitive outcome in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Kevin Duff, Constantine G. Lyketsos, Leigh J. Beglinger, Gordon Chelune, David J. Moser, Stephan Arndt, Susan K. Schultz, Jane S. Paulsen, Ronald C. Petersen, Robert J. McCaffrey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: Practice effects on cognitive tests have been shown to further characterize patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and may provide predictive information about cognitive change across time. We tested the hypothesis that a loss of practice effects would portend a worse prognosis in aMCI. DESIGN:: Longitudinal, observational design following participants across 1 year. SETTING:: Community-based cohort. PARTICIPANTS:: Three groups of older adults: 1) cognitively intact (n = 57), 2) aMCI with large practice effects across 1 week (MCI + PE, n = 25), and 3) aMCI with minimal practice effects across 1 week (MCI - PE, n = 26). MEASUREMENTS:: Neuropsychological tests. RESULTS:: After controlling for age and baseline cognitive differences, the MCI - PE group performed significantly worse than the other groups after 1 year on measures of immediate memory, delayed memory, language, and overall cognition. CONCLUSIONS:: Although these results need to be replicated in larger samples, the loss of short-term practice effects portends a worse prognosis in patients with aMCI.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)932-939
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume19
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011

Keywords

  • Dementia
  • Mild cognitive impairment
  • Practice effects

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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