Selectivity of executive function deficits in mild cognitive impairment.

Full Abstract

Impairment in executive cognition (EC) is now recognized as relatively common among older persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and may be predictive of the development of dementia. However, both MCI and executive functioning are broad and heterogeneous constructs. The present study sought to determine whether impairments in specific domains of EC are associated with specific subtypes of MCI. MCI patients (n = 124) were divided into 4 subgroups (amnestic vs. nonamnestic, and single- vs. multiple-domain) on the basis of their performance of widely used neuropsychological screening tests. These patients and 68 normal older persons were administered 18 clinical and experimental tests of executive function. Principal components analysis suggested 2 highly reliable EC components, planning/problem solving and working memory, and a less reliable 3rd component, judgment. Planning/problem solving and working memory, but not judgment, were impaired among the MCI patients. This was true even among those with "pure amnestic" MCI, the least impaired group overall. Multiple-domain MCI patients had more severe impairments in planning/problem solving and working memory than single-domain patients, leading to the supposition that they, not pure amnestic MCIs, are at highest risk of imminent dementia.

Author information

Author/s: Brandt, Jason (J); Aretouli, Eleni (E); Neijstrom, Eleanor (E); Samek, Jaclyn (J); Manning, Kevin (K); Albert, Marilyn S (MS); Bandeen-Roche, Karen (K);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287-7218, USA. jbrandt(-atsign-)jhmi.edu

Grants: AG-005146 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Neuropsychology (Neuropsychology), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 23 (issue 5) : pp 607-18

Dates: Created 2009/08/25; Completed 2009/10/16; Revised 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19702414, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/30/2009, IMS Date: )

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