MCI is a heterogeneous condition at the population level with different progression and reversion rates compared to clinical populations, highlighting the need for community-level validation of research criteria.
As ascertained by several operational definitions, MCI is a heterogeneous entity at the population level but progresses to dementia at rates higher than in normal elderly individuals. Proportions of participants progressing to dementia are lower and proportions reverting to normal are higher than in clinical populations. Memory impairments and impairments in multiple domains lead to greater progression and lesser improvement. Research criteria may benefit from validation at the community level before incorporation into clinical practice.
Ganguli et al. (Wed,) studied this question.