Biological Features Of Reversion From Mild Cognitive Impairment To Normal Cognition: A Study Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Markers And Brain Volume

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional condition between normal cognition and dementia. Although a significant proportion of the population with MCI experience reversion to normal cognition, it is still poorly understood.Objective: This study was designed to extend the present evidence regarding the difference between stable and reverting MCI by including whole brain atrophy measures as possible parameters involved.Methods: 405 patients diagnosed with MCI at baseline were selected. After one-year follow-up period, 337 patients (83.2%) were categorized as stable MCI and 68 patients (16.8%) reverted to cognitively normal status (reversion group). Several baseline biomarkers including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of AD, including A beta(42), t-tau, and p-tau and MRI-based atrophy measurements were compared.Results: Participants with stable MCI demonstrated greater brain atrophy as well as lower A beta and higher tau proteins in the CSF. The atrophy rate was found to be associated with CSF biomarkers merely in the stable group, after adjustment for confounding variables.Conclusion: These findings provide novel evidence regarding the biological perspective of the reversion phenomenon in individuals with MCI.