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Two-year progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia: to what extent do different definitions agree?
Matthews FE, Stephan BC, McKeith IG, Bond J, Brayne C, Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study.. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2008-07-24
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objectives To determine the 2-year outcome from 16 different current classifications of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a population-based sample. Design Prospective cohort study: baseline and 2-year follow-up phases. Setting Large-scale multicenter study, United Kingdom. Participants : Thirteen thousand four individuals aged 65 and older from the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study. From this, a subsample of 2,640 individuals was selected and completed a more-detailed cognitive assessment. Individuals who underwent further assessment were asked to complete annual or 2-year follow-ups. Measurements Information on sociodemographic status, general health, cognitive impairment and functional ability were collected using a structured interview. Individuals were classified according to 16 different definitions of MCI. These were applied retrospectively. Results The dominant outcome across definitions was an impairment that was not classifiable or reversion to normality. Progression to dementia was variable and generally poor. Overall progression was highest in classifications in which impairment extended to memory and nonmemory domains. Predictability was age dependent in some but not all classifications. Conclusion Current classifications of MCI have variable outcomes in population-based samples. Progression to dementia is relatively rare and is dependent on age and definition. Selection criteria developed for the clinic are based on a "high risk" approach that leads to exclusion of a large percentage of the impaired population who are neither normal nor demented and for whom no intervention options are currently available. A refined definition of this construct is urgently needed if MCI is to be used to predict dementia in population-based studies.
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APA 7th
Matthews, F. E., Stephan, B. C., McKeith, I. G., Bond, J., Brayne, C., & Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study. (2008). Two-year progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia: to what extent do different definitions agree? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01820.x
Vancouver
Matthews FE, Stephan BC, McKeith IG, Bond J, Brayne C, Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study. Two-year progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia: to what extent do different definitions agree? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2008. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01820.x. PMID: 18662209.
BibTeX
@article{matthews2008-18662209,
author = {Matthews, F. E. and Stephan, B. C. and McKeith, I. G. and Bond, J. and Brayne, C. and {Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study}},
title = {{Two-year progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia: to what extent do different definitions agree?}},
journal = {Journal of the American Geriatrics Society},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01820.x},
pmid = {18662209},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01820.x}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Results The dominant outcome across definitions was an impairment that was not classifiable or reversion to normality.
- Overall progression was highest in classifications in which impairment extended to memory and nonmemory domains.
Why it matters
In this population-based study, the most common outcome across 16 definitions of mild cognitive impairment was an impairment that was not classifiable or a return to normal, and progression to dementia was relatively rare and depended on the definition used. This is about how mild cognitive impairment is classified and its outcomes, not about treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Study designcohort study
- Participants2,640
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 62/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a cohort study following people over time. Scored zero for effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: journal h-index 344 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A cohort study following people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2008 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 3 / 4 | 2,640 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 | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 225 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 11.2 citations a year over 20 year(s) since 2008 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 8.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 15 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 15 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Carol Brayne: h-index 159 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Newcastle University: institution h-index 932 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 18662209) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 62 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01820.x
- PubMed: 18662209
- Original source →
- Free full text: Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity) →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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