Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy (Aug 2018)

Subjective Cognitive Impairment Cohort (SCIENCe): study design and first results

  • Rosalinde E. R. Slot,
  • Sander C. J. Verfaillie,
  • Jozefien M. Overbeek,
  • Tessa Timmers,
  • Linda M. P. Wesselman,
  • Charlotte E. Teunissen,
  • Annemiek Dols,
  • Femke H. Bouwman,
  • Niels D. Prins,
  • Frederik Barkhof,
  • Adriaan A. Lammertsma,
  • Bart N. M. Van Berckel,
  • Philip Scheltens,
  • Sietske A. M. Sikkes,
  • Wiesje M. Van der Flier

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-018-0390-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Background We aimed to describe the Subjective Cognitive Impairment Cohort (SCIENCe) study design, to cross-sectionally describe participant characteristics, and to evaluate the SCD-plus criteria. Methods The SCIENCe is a prospective cohort study of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) patients. Participants undergo extensive assessment, including cerebrospinal fluid collection and optional amyloid positron emission tomography scan, with annual follow-up. The primary outcome measure is clinical progression. Results Cross-sectional evaluation of the first 151 participants (age 64 ± 8, 44% female, Mini-Mental State Examination 29 ± 2) showed that 28 (25%) had preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (amyloid status available n = 114 (75%)), 58 (38%) had subthreshold psychiatry, and 65 (43%) had neither. More severe subjective complaints were associated with worse objective performance. The SCD-plus criteria age ≥ 60 (OR 7.7 (95% CI 1.7–38.9)) and apolipoprotein E (genotype) e4 (OR 4.8 (95% CI 1.6–15.0)) were associated with preclinical AD. Conclusions The SCIENCe study confirms that SCD is a heterogeneous group, with preclinical AD and subthreshold psychiatric features. We found a number of SCD-plus criteria to be associated with preclinical AD. Further inclusion and follow-up will address important questions related to SCD.

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