1st Edition
Mild Cognitive Impairment International Perspectives
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) has been identified as an important clinical transition between normal aging and the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since treatments for AD are most likely to be most effective early in the course of the disease, MCI has become a topic of great importance and has been investigated in different populations of interest in many countries. This book brings together these differing perspectives on MCI for the first time.
This volume provides a comprehensive resource for clinicians, researchers, and students involved in the study, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with MCI. Clinical investigators initially defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a transitional condition between normal aging and the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because the prevalence of AD increases with age and very large numbers of older adults are affected worldwide, these clinicians saw a pressing need to identify AD as early as possible. It is at this very early stage in the disease course that treatments to slow the progress and control symptoms are likely to be most effective.
Since the first introduction of MCI, research interest has grown exponentially, and the utility of the concept has been investigated from a variety of perspectives in different populations of interest (e.g., clinical samples, volunteers, population-based screening) in many different countries. Much variability in findings has resulted. Although it has been acknowledged that the differences observed between samples may be ‘legitimate variations’, there has been no attempt to understand what it is we have learned about MCI (i.e., common features and differences) from each of these perspectives.
This book brings together information about MCI in different populations from around the world. Mild Cognitive Impairment will be an important resource for any clinician, researcher, or student involved in the study, detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with MCI.
Biography
Tuokko, Holly A.; Hultsch, David F.
"This valuable volume brings the kind of broad perspective to mild cognitive impairment that has long been needed. Rather than basing conclusions on a single sample or framework, the editors have pulled together articles from leading research groups around the world. This is the kind of comprehensive approach that is needed for developing systematic and valid definitions of MCI and identifying better tools that make it possible to differentiate between benign memory changes in later life and the early signs of pathological processes." - Steven H. Zarit, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
"This volume provides the most comprehensive overview of mild cognitive impairment currently available. The conceptual and methodological challenges for studying MCI are tackled with rigor, and the complexities of defining the syndrome are not underestimated. This book is certain to become a classic text for those studying or researching cognitive agin, MCI and dementia, and for clinicians seeking an authoritative reference on the clinical manifestations of MCI." - Kaarin J. Anstey, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University
"The editors of this book have done a great job. The description of the issues is laid out in a well-written introduction, making the descriptions of the research papers very accessible, even to the less well-informed reader. The conclusion likewise pulled together the various strands, including defining what still needs to be done to further refine the concept of MCI." - Graham A. Jackson, Laverndale Hospital, Scotland. In Dementia, August, 2008
