title: Early cognitive markers of the incidence of dementia and mortality: a longitudinal population-based study of the oldest old.
abstract: This study examines whether cognitive markers at prior examinations are indicative of subsequent dementia and mortality. The sample was composed of subjects aged 84-90 at baseline who were reexamined three times over a 6-year period on a comprehensive biobehavioral battery. Dementia was evaluated at each examination using DSM-III-R criteria. Results indicated that incident cases of dementia had lower cognitive scores both 2 and 4 years prior to diagnosis, compared to non-demented survivors. Evidence for terminal decline was also found, as people who subsequently died also had lower cognitive performance at prior examinations, compared to non-demented survivors. The findings suggest that mild cognitive dysfunction is an important clinical finding among the oldest old and may herald either the onset of dementia or mortality.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, University College of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zarit
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D003071:Cognition; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011379:Prognosis; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers