Publication Date
2019
Journal Title
Alzheimers Dement
Abstract
© 2019 Introduction: The extent of working memory (WM) and executive function (EF) impairment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not well-characterized. Methods: We compared 48 patients with MCI, 124 noncognitively impaired elderly healthy controls, and 57 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) on multiple WM/EF measures, frontal lobe integrity indexes, and functioning. Results: Patients with MCI demonstrated worse performance on nearly all WM/EF tests. This profile of impairment was refined in a factor analysis that identified three primary WM/EF constructs: WM storage; speed and controlled visual search; and manipulation of information and problem solving. EF impairments were associated with reductions in prefrontal cortical thickness. WM/EF accounted for over 50% of the variance in functional competence. Discussion: In MCI, WM/EF impairments are far from rare, based on specific compromises to frontal cortex circuitry, and are associated with loss of everyday functioning. WM/EF impairments, even at this potentially prodromal stage of AD, have clinically deleterious consequences.
Volume Number
11
Pages
170 - 179
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty, Northwell Researcher
Facility
School of Medicine; Northwell Health
Primary Department
Psychiatry
Additional Departments
Molecular Medicine
PMID
DOI
10.1016/j.dadm.2018.12.010