Michigan State University and Corewell Health™ researchers discovered a high rate of undiagnosed mild cognitive impairment in rural West Michigan.

Michigan State University and Corewell Health™ researchers found that rural West Michigan has a high rate of undiagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with many cases potentially going undetected. The study, involving 1.5 million patients' de-identified electronic health records, discovered that MCI incidence rates in West Michigan are lower than national averages, potentially due to underreporting of cognitive impairment. The study also found that "MCI skippers" (those progressing directly to dementia without a prior MCI diagnosis) were three times more prevalent in rural areas. The researchers plan to use these findings to develop AI tools that can detect MCI earlier among patients across the country, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis for potentially reversing or delaying cognitive impairment progression.

August 12, 2024
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