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A clustering approach based on neuropsychological testing to detect early signs of probable MCI among community-dwelling older adults
Mauti R, Chouk C, Guillot A, Peronin A, Fargier P, Chabaud P.. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 2026-07-09
Topic: Brain imaging, connectivity and assessment
Introduction Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is defined as a decline in one or more cognitive domains worse than expected for age and encompasses several subtypes depending on the cognitive(s) function(s) impaired. Older adults presenting amnestic MCI combined with one or several other impaired domains are the highest at risk of dementia. Yet, no consensual screening method for MCI in community-dwelling older adults has been established. The aim of this study was to identify cognitive aging profiles using multivariate analysis based on three neuropsychological assessments and to characterize profiles consistent with different probable MCI subtypes. Methods A total of 161 community-dwelling older adults from the 13EVAL cluster-randomized controlled trial performed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment including the Memory Index Score, the Trail Making Test and the Victoria Stroop Test. Hierarchical clustering on principal components was conducted based on four cognitive domains (global cognition, memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility) and age. Inter-groups comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA. Individual performances were compared to normative standard for each assessment to characterize each group. Results Three clusters were identified that differed significantly in age ( F 2,158 =78.56, p <.001, η 2 p =.50), global cognition ( F 2,158 =96.07, p <.001, η 2 p =.55), memory ( F 2,158 =81.48, p <.001, η 2 p =.51), cognitive flexibility ( F 2,158 =52.25, p <.001, η 2 p =.40) and inhibition ( F 2,158 =12.14, p <.001, η 2 p =.13). Inter-groups comparisons and comparisons to normative values led to the characterization of Cluster 1 as normal cognition, Cluster 2 as probable executive MCI and Cluster 3 as probable amnestic and executive MCI. Conclusions Individuals with cognitive profiles consistent with probable executive MCI were identified using simple assessments of global cognition, memory and executive functions in a community-dwelling older population. As participants were not clinically diagnosed, further prospective studies are needed to determine the screening performance of this approach.
Key findings
- Individual performances were compared to normative standard for each assessment to characterize each group.
- Results Three clusters were identified that differed significantly in age ( F 2,158 =78.56, p <.001, η 2 p =.50), global cognition ( F 2,158 =96.07, p <.001, η 2 p =.55), memory ( F 2,158 =81.48, p <.001, η 2 p =.51), cognitive flexibility ( F 2,158 =52.25, p <.001, η 2 p =.40) and inhibition ( F 2,158 =12.14, p <.001, η 2 p =.13).
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Study details
- Study designrandomized controlled trial
- Participants161
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 78/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it. We have no data on journal's citation record, times cited, citations per year, impact for its field and year, cited by studies here, still being cited, senior author's track record, institution's track record and multi-centre collaboration, so those were left out: it earned 45 of the 58 points we could judge it on, which is 78 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in aging neuroscience) |
| Journal's citation record | — / 4 | No journal record from OpenAlex — left out of this score |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 161 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | — / 7 | No citation count (not found in OpenAlex) — left out of this score |
| Citations per year | — / 5 | No citation count or no year — left out of this score |
| Impact for its field and year | — / 6 | No field-weighted citation impact (OpenAlex has none yet) — left out of this score |
| Cited by studies here | — / 6 | Not yet checked against this library's citation graph — left out of this score |
| Still being cited | — / 4 | No yearly citation counts — left out of this score |
| Senior author's track record | — / 4 | Senior author's record not available — left out of this score |
| Institution's track record | — / 3 | No institution listed in OpenAlex — left out of this score |
| Multi-centre collaboration | — / 3 | Institutions not listed — left out of this score |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Points | 45 / 58 | Scored on 11 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 45 of the 58 points we could judge it on is 78 out of 100. |
| Total | 78 / 100 | — |
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APA 7th
Mauti, R., Chouk, C., Guillot, A., Peronin, A., Fargier, P., & Chabaud, P. (2026). A clustering approach based on neuropsychological testing to detect early signs of probable MCI among community-dwelling older adults. Frontiers in aging neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.26357270
Vancouver
Mauti R, Chouk C, Guillot A, Peronin A, Fargier P, Chabaud P. A clustering approach based on neuropsychological testing to detect early signs of probable MCI among community-dwelling older adults. Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 2026. doi:10.64898/2026.07.04.26357270.
BibTeX
@article{mauti2026-183d3fda,
author = {Mauti, R. and Chouk, C. and Guillot, A. and Peronin, A. and Fargier, P. and Chabaud, P.},
title = {{A clustering approach based on neuropsychological testing to detect early signs of probable MCI among community-dwelling older adults}},
journal = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.64898/2026.07.04.26357270},
url = {https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.26357270}
}