Attention deficits, Vascular Risk Factors and their contribution to Dementia Conversion. A retrospective study on MCI subjects

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is seen as a cognitive state prior to dementia, as MCI subjects are at higher risk of dementia conversion. Learning about the neuropsychological profile helps to indicate MCI subjects that will convert. The objective of this study is to see whether attentional deficits are associated with dementia conversion. Vascular risk factors (VRF) are also associated with a higher conversion rate. The second aim of this study is to see whether in our dataset MCI subjects that are diagnosed with one or more VRF have a higher risk of dementia conversion. This study uses a retrospective approach. 83 MCI patients were selected in the outpatient register. Baseline examination of attentional deficits was directly compared to follow-up measurements. No significant results were found for either attentional deficits or VRF with regard to dementia conversion. This study underlines the complexity of the relationship between risk factors and conversion. It stresses the importance of further analyzing factors that add to an increased risk of dementia conversion, in order to develop adequate intervention treatments.