Test-retest discourse performance of individuals with mild cognitive impairment

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an evolving, intermediate diagnostic category between normal cognitive ageing and dementia in which individuals demonstrate cognitive performance that is impaired beyond that expected in normal cognitive ageing or among those with similar educational backgrounds. MCI may convert to dementia; however, the time-course to conversion is unknown. Aims: The purpose of the current research was to investigate whether, in a group of previously tested individuals with MCI, decrements in complex discourse production would be evident as early as 6 months following initial assessment. Methods Procedures: Eight individuals with MCI were reassessed at a 6-month follow-up using a complex discourse production task previously shown to differentiate these individuals with MCI from normal controls. Outcomes Results: The hypothesis that performance scores at 6-month follow-up would be lower than initial scores in individuals with MCI was not supported. No evidence emerged of precipitous decline in complex ideation, planning, organisation, and abstract reasoning, as measured in number of words, T-units, and core elements, leading to additional hypotheses with scientific and practical implications that warrant investigation. Conclusions: Extended serial reassessment is indicated in order to more fully characterise discourse production performance in MCI over time.