Early Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Project Description Narrative:

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disease that affects an estimated 5.3 million people in the U.S., including approximately 110,000 individuals in Wisconsin. Deaths attributed to Alzehimer's disease have increased significantly, making it the sixth leading cause of death. However, among the top 10 causes of death in America, Alzheimer's disease is unique in that there is no way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical term used to describe the cognitive state that is between normal aging and dementia. Researchers have a particular interest in MCI because they believe that it is a transitional state to Alzheimer's disease, and that detecting it may help identify individuals at risk for progression to Alzheimer's disease as well as define a window for initiating effective treatment strategies.

Through this award, the project investigators seek to develop a neuroimaging biomarker for early detection of individuals who are at risk of progression from a cognitive normal state to MCI.