Hippocampal volume and CDR-SB can predict conversion to dementia in MCI patients.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the combination of two factors: clinical dementia rating sum of boxes scores (CDR-SB) and hippocampal volume (HV) as predictors of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. METHODS Twenty-eight individuals (9 normal and 19 with MCI) were classified according to their CDR sum of boxes scores into 3 groups. RESULTS The hippocampal volume was significantly lower in the high-risk group and in those who developed dementia after two years. The rate of conversion was crescent among the three groups. CONCLUSION We were proposed an additional measurement of the hippocampal volume which may be helpful in the prognosis. However, we noted that the CDR-SB is a method as efficient as neuroimaging to predict dementia with the advantage of being a procedure for low cost and easy implementation, more consistent with public policy.