Cognitive frailty, a novel target for the prevention of elderly dependency.

In this study, we refine the definition of cognitive frailty based on existing reports about frailty and the latest progress in cognition research. We obtain evidence from the literature regarding the role of pre-physical frailty in pathological aging. We propose that cognitive impairment of cognitive frailty results from physical or pre-physical frailty and comprises two subtypes: the reversible and the potentially reversible. Reversible cognitive impairment is indicated by SCD and/or positive fluid and imaging biomarkers of amyloid-β accumulation and neurodegeneration. Potentially reversible cognitive impairment is MCI (CDR=0.5). Based on the severity of cognitive impairment, it is possible to determine the primary and secondary preventative measures for cognitive frailty. We further determine whether SCD is a component of pre-clinical AD or the early stage of other neurodegenerative diseases, which is required for guiding personal clinical intervention.
PMID: 25555677 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Ageing Research Reviews - December 30, 2014 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Ruan Q, Yu Z, Chen M, Bao Z, Li J, He W Tags: Ageing Res Rev Source Type: research