Neuroimaging criteria and cognitive performance in vascular mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review

The recognition of Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD) at earlier clinical stages may favor the control of vascular risk factors and prevention of dementia. However, operational criteria for symptomatic phases at non-dementia stages are often difficult, as the current criteria normally require the evidenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dementia & neuropsychologia 2015-12, Vol.9 (4), p.394-404
Main Authors: Sudo, Felipe Kenji, Alves, Gilberto Sousa, Tiel, Chan, Ericeira-Valente, Letice, Moreira, Denise Madeira, Laks, Jerson, Engelhardt, Eliasz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
cerebral infarction
cerebrovascular disorders
CLINICAL NEUROLOGY
GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY
HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES
MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
neurological diagnostic techniques
NURSING
Original
PSYCHIATRY
PSYCHOLOGY
vascular dementia
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Summary:The recognition of Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD) at earlier clinical stages may favor the control of vascular risk factors and prevention of dementia. However, operational criteria for symptomatic phases at non-dementia stages are often difficult, as the current criteria normally require the evidence of extensive subcortical disease. To identify the neuroimaging profile of Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment (VaMCI), the impact of those aspects over cognition and the neuropsychological tests that distinguished VaMCI from other groups. Searches were performed in Scopus, ISI and PsycINFO, using the following key terms: "vascular mild cognitive impairment" OR "vascular cognitive impairment no dementia" OR "vascular cognitive impairment not demented" OR "subcortical mild cognitive impairment". Of 249 papers, 20 studies were selected. Ten of those included only patients with severe White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH), whereas 10 others admitted subjects with moderate-to-severe WMH. Both groups showed poor performances in Executive Function (EF) tasks in comparison to normal controls and other diagnostic groups. Among EF tests, those assessing "complex" EF abilities consistently distinguished VaMCI from other groups, regardless of the severity of WMH. VaMCI subjects with severe or moderate-to-severe WMH showed cognitive deficits in comparison with other groups. "Complex" EF tests were the most useful in differentiating those patients from the other groups. The occurrence of VaMCI may be associated with the presence of CVD at moderate levels; the detection of vascular damage at earlier stages may allow the adoption of therapeutic actions with significant effect-sizes.
ISSN:1980-5764
1980-5764
DOI:10.1590/1980-57642015dn94000394