Neuropsychological Studies of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Mild Dementia and Depression in Older Adults

Dear Colleagues,

Dementia and depression are the most frequent psychiatric disorders of old age. Both affect the quality of life of patients in a significant way and to a much greater extent than many somatic diseases. Depression is also considered a serious risk factor for developing dementia. In addition, dementia and depression share a diagnostic deficit. Dementia is often only diagnosed in more advanced stages, showing higher degrees of functional impairment. Worldwide, patients suffering from depression are frequently not correctly diagnosed; therefore, in many countries, less than 10% of depressed subjects receive adequate treatment.

Due to an overlap in symptoms, a valid differential diagnosis between dementia and depression is sometimes difficult to establish: Depressive disorders in old age are associated with cognitive impairment in 40% to 60% of patients. Conversely, about 40% of dementia patients develop depression symptoms. Accordingly, among the differential diagnoses of dementia, the ICD-10 lists depressive disorders in the first place, which can show characteristics of incipient dementia with memory impairment, slowed thinking, and lack of spontaneity. In the same way, the DSM-5 recommends inspecting the cognitive profiles of patients suggesting memory and executive impairment as typical for Alzheimer’s disease, whereas nonspecific and more diverse test performance could be expected in major depression. In accordance with this perspective, a number of reviews state a lack

of clarity in the neuropsychological profiles of depressive disorders. Since the cognitive deficits associated with depression are less pronounced than those found in dementia, a differential diagnosis becomes much more difficult when it is not a full-blown dementia, but mild cognitive impairment (MCI) must be differentiated from depression.

The goal of this Special Issue is to shed light on the diagnostic profiles and differential diagnosis of depression, MCI, and mild dementia. The findings will contribute significantly to the more precise diagnosis of depression and cognitive impairment in older adults.

Dr. Mark Stemmler
Dr. Hartmut Lehfeld
Guest Editors

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• neuropsychology
• mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
• differential diagnosis of depression and MCI
• diagnostic profiles
• mild dementia
• activities of daily living (ADL)