JAMA Netw Open

New tool predicts onset of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer dementia

January 13, 2025

Study details: This prognostic study developed and validated the Florey Dementia Index (FDI) using data from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Data from the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer (A4) study were used for a simulated trial. The study included 1,665 AIBL participants, 2,029 ADNI participants, and 93 A4 participants.

Results: The FDI achieved mean absolute errors of 2.78 years for predicting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) onset and 1.48 years for predicting Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset in the AIBL and ADNI cohorts. In the A4 simulated trial, the FDI achieved mean absolute errors of 1.57 years for predicting MCI onset and 0.70 years for predicting AD onset.

Clinical impact: The FDI can help predict the onset age of MCI and AD, aiding in health care planning for older adults with cognitive decline. This tool may also help prioritize patients for disease-modifying treatments in the future.

Source:

Chu C, et al; AIBL Research Group and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. (2025, January 2). JAMA Netw Open. Development and Validation of a Tool to Predict Onset of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Dementia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39775804/