title: Mild cognitive dysfunction: an epidemiological perspective with an emphasis on African Americans.
abstract: This review begins with a historical accounting of the evolution of the concept of mild cognitive dysfunction, including nomenclature and criteria from Kral to Petersen. A critical analysis of the main elements relating to assessment and diagnosis of mild cognitive dysfunction is provided. Methodological limitations in design, measurement, and characterization, especially as they relate to older African Americans, are identified. Data from a 15-year longitudinal study of community-dwelling African Americans in Indianapolis, Indiana, indicate a 23% prevalence of all-cause mild cognitive dysfunction, with approximately 25% progressing to dementia in 2 years and another 25% reverting to normal cognition in the same interval. Factors contributing to this longitudinal variability in outcomes are reviewed, including the role of medical health factors. The review closes with suggestions for next steps in the epidemiological research of mild cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. funverza@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Frederick W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Unverzagt
authors.lastname: Sujuan Gao
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: Adesola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogunniyi
authors.forename: Olusegun
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baiyewu
authors.forename: Oye
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gureje
authors.forename: Kathleen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Hugh C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hendrie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007196:Indiana; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D001741:Black or African American