Biomedical subjects

Hiroshi Shimokata

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroshi Shimokata.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Age-specific change of prevalence of metabolic syndrome: longitudinal observation of large Japanese cohort.

To examine real age-related changes in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, we studied longitudinal changes in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a single cohort of individuals. The participants included 112,960 Japanese (70,996 men, 14-94 years and 41,946 women, 17-85 years), who had received annual examinations between 1989 and 2004. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Japan Metabolic Syndrome Criteria Study Group and the US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines. Overweight was defined as BMI>or=25 kg/m(2). Longitudinal changes indicated a birth cohort effect in the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome with a lower or higher prevalence in the younger birth cohort than in the older for females or males, respectively. The estimation of the age-specific prevalence of metabolic syndrome demonstrated that in males, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased up to 50 decades of life for the Japanese and 60 decades of life for the NCEP criteria. In females, the prevalence increased with age up to 80 years old for both criteria. The estimated secular trends suggested that the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome decreased in females and increased in males during study periods.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions and tympanometric measurements in an adult population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are useful clinical tools that can be used as a test to reflect hearing, especially cochlear function. When OAEs are recorded, the sound energy is conducted inwards and outwards through the middle ear system, but the degree to which the middle ear condition affects the OAEs level remains obscure. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the effect of the condition of the middle ear expressed by multifrequency tympanometry on the distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) adjusting for age and the corresponding pure-tone thresholds. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The evaluation was conducted using 1,043 subjects without a history of ear disease or occupational noise exposure out of a population-based sample of 2,259 adults aged 40-82 years. Multifrequency tympanometry, DPOAEs, and pure-tone audiometry were administered. The resonance frequency (RF), static admittance (SA) and tympanometric peak pressure (PP) were taken as variables representing middle ear function. Subjects were categorized into three groups of variables < or = 5th percentile, between 5th and 95th percentile, and > or = 95th percentile. The signal-to-noise ratio in DPOAE levels were compared among three groups adjusting for age and the pure-tone threshold level. RESULTS: Both abnormally high and low RF exerted a negative effect on DPOAEs. Smaller RF values were related to smaller DPOAEs for the frequency around 1000 Hz, and greater RF values were related to smaller DPOAEs for the frequency around 4000 Hz. The tendency was similar between genders. Abnormally high SA had a negative influence on DPOAEs, while abnormally low SA had no significant effect on either gender. Smaller PP values were significantly related to smaller DPOAEs. CONCLUSIONS: We interpreted the findings of the present study as verification of the effect of the condition of the middle ear on DPOAEs after adjustment for age and the pure-tone threshold level, although ears out of normal range in tympanometric variables might conceivably include not only middle ear dysfunction but also inner ear abnormality. Tympanometric assessment must always be taken into account when OAEs are analyzed for an estimation of the cochlea function.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

PubMed2006

Association of SH-2 containing inositol 5'-phosphatase 2 gene polymorphisms and hyperglycemia.

OBJECTIVES: SH-2 containing inositol 5'-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) is a family of inositol 5'-phosphatases, which possess the 5'-phosphatase activity that hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol-3, 4, 5-trisphosphate to phosphatidylinositol-3, 4-bisphosphate and is suspected to negatively regulates the metabolic signaling of insulin. To clarify the possible involvement of SHIP2 in physiological abnormalities, we examined the human SHIP2 gene polymorphism in a Japanese cohort. METHODS: We searched single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the human SHIP2 gene promoter and 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) and investigated their relationship with impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) in a Japanese cohort. Next, the effect of the SNPs on promoter activity was examined in HeLa and HL60 cells. RESULTS: Among the several SNPs detected on the human SHIP2 gene promoter and 5'-UTR, 3 SNPs (-405 C/A, +57 G/A, and +334 C/T) formed the haplotypes CGC and AAT and were found at a relatively high frequency in the Japanese population. The frequency of genotypes (+334 CT and TT) was significantly higher in the group with IFG than in the normal group (P < 0.0001, odds ratio = 2.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.50-3.32). This association was not affected by age and gender. Furthermore, one haplotype (+57 A, +334 T) which was inserted into a luciferase reporter plasmid and existed more frequently in the IFG group than in the normal group exhibited increased promoter activity in the culture cells compared with the other haplotype (+57 G, +334 C). CONCLUSIONS: The SNPs in the SHIP2 gene promoter and the 5'-UTR may account partly for the IFG and may be a marker for the risk of diabetes.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2006

Dietary supplement use by community-living population in Japan: data from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA).

BACKGROUND: There are few studies about dietary supplement use and nutrient intake from these products in Japan. The purpose of this study was to clarify (1) the prevalence of dietary supplement use, (2) the characteristics of dietary supplement users, (3) nutrient intake from dietary supplements, and (4) the existence of dietary supplement users who took excessive nutrients from these products. METHODS: To collect the information on dietary supplement use in the previous year and nutrient intake from these products, we conducted a self-administered dietary supplement frequency questionnaire. The subjects were 2,259 people aged 40-82 years. Dietary supplements were grouped into 8 major categories. A dietary supplement database was developed to estimate nutrient intake from these products. Excess users were defined as people who consumed more nutrient than the tolerable upper intake level of the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese. RESULTS: In the previous year, 55 % of males and 61 % of females consumed dietary supplements. Dietary supplement use was especially prevalent in females, subjects who felt unhealthy, and subjects who were more careful of maintaining an appropriate weight, though the association was affected by the frequency of dietary supplement use. The most common dietary supplements were drink type in males and vitamins in females. Some nutrient values obtained from dietary supplements were higher than those from food. Excess users were found for intake of vitamin A, B(6), K, niacin, iron, and magnesium. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to clarify dietary supplement use and to estimate nutrient intake from these products.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[How far should life-style be corrected in the elderly?].

To ensure a healthy elderly population, correction of life-style is one of the most important approaches. Smoking cessation, regulation of alcohol intake, prevention of obesity, improvement of nutrition, promotion of physical activity are key factors for prevention of bed-ridden and extension of healthy life span. Although corrections of life-style are essential in childhood, adolescence, and the middle-aged and elderly periods, the methods and purpose are different in each life stage. The risks of emaciation and malnutrition are more important rather than that of obesity in the elderly aged 75 years or over. As for the influence of smoking in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, smoking can be a trigger for arrhythmia, peripheral vascular constriction, and irritation of the respiratory tract in the elderly. Smoking cessation is necessary even among elderly people. It is also necessary to decrease the amount of alcohol intake, because the ability of metabolize alcohol is limited in the elderly. Physical activity in the elderly people is fundamental not only to maintain the ability of daily living, but also to improve metabolic function and to prevent depression. Vigorous intervention to increase physical activity such as exercise class is recommended, especially in the elderly.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Association of a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene polymorphism with blood pressure in Japanese women.

Genetic variants of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) have been associated with the serum concentration of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, predisposition to coronary heart disease, or longevity. The relation of a -493Gright curved arrow T polymorphism in the promoter of MTP to blood pressure was examined in a population-based study. The subjects (1124 men, 1108 women) were aged 40-79 years and were randomly recruited to a population-based prospective cohort study of aging and age-related diseases in Japan. Blood pressure was measured at least twice with subjects in the sitting position. The serum lipid profile was determined after the subjects had fasted overnight. The -493Gright curved arrow T genotype of MTP was determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system. There was no difference in the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, or triglycerides among MTP genotypes for men or for women. Systolic or diastolic blood pressure was not related to the -493Gright curved arrow T polymorphism in men. For women, however, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly related to MTP genotype, with the T allele of the polymorphism being associated with low blood pressure. The relation between MTP genotype and the prevalence of hypertension was almost significant (P=0.055) for all women. Although MTP genotype was not associated with the prevalence of hypertension in premenopausal women, the relation between these parameters was significant (P=0.040) in postmenopausal women, with the TT genotype protecting against this condition. These results suggest that MTP genotype is a determinant of blood pressure in Japanese women.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Association of polymorphisms in forkhead box C2 and perilipin genes with bone mineral density in community-dwelling Japanese individuals.

Evidence suggests the existence of a close relation between lipid metabolism and bone remodeling. We hypothesized that polymorphisms of genes that play a role in lipid metabolism, such as those for forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) and perilipin (PLIN), might affect bone mineral density (BMD). We thus examined the possible relationships between a -512C --> T polymorphism of FOXC2 and a 1243C --> T polymorphism of PLIN to BMD in community-dwelling Japanese women and men. The subjects (1129 men, 1114 women for FOXC2; 1122 men, 1112 women for PLIN) were aged 40 to 79 years and were randomly recruited to a population-based prospective cohort study of aging and age-related diseases in Japan. Genotypes for FOXC2 and PLIN were determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system. The -512C --> T polymorphism of FOXC2 was associated with BMD for the distal and proximal radius in men and in premenopausal women as well as with BMD for the distal radius and total body in postmenopausal women, with the T allele being related to reduced BMD. The 1243C --> T polymorphism of PLIN was associated with BMD for the total body, lumbar spine, femoral neck, and trochanter in men, with the C allele being related to reduced BMD. This polymorphism of PLIN was not associated with BMD in all women. These results suggest that FOXC2 is a susceptibility locus for reduced BMD in Japanese men and women, and that PLIN constitutes such a locus in Japanese men.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2005

Association of alcohol dehydrogenase 2*1 allele with liver damage and insulin concentration in the Japanese.

The Japanese have a polymorphism in the alcohol dehydrogenase 2 gene (ADH2). The alleles of ADH2 (ADH2*1 and ADH2*2) encode more active and less active forms for ethanol metabolism, respectively. We examined whether liver damage and the insulin-glucose axis vary according to ADH2 genotype in the Japanese. The 2,232 subjects (1,126 men and 1,106 women) were recruited from a population-based prospective cohort study. Clinical evaluations including alcohol consumption, percentage of alcohol drinkers, plasma glucose, HbA1c, insulin, AST, ALT, gamma-GTP, and prevalence of diabetes were compared among the ADH2 genotypes. The percentage of drinkers, alcohol consumption, AST, ALT, and gamma-GTP were higher in group ADH2*1/1 than in group ADH2*1/2 or ADH2*2/2 (all P < 0.05). Hence, ADH2*1/1 is associated with excess alcohol intake and liver disorders. However, the prevalence of diabetes did not differ among the three groups. For the glucose-insulin axis, we examined subjects who did not receive insulin therapy or oral anti-diabetes medication. While amounts of alcohol consumed and glucose levels were nearly the same between ADH*1/2 and ADH2*2/2, insulin concentrations were lower in ADH2*2/1 than in ADH2*2/2 (P < 0.05 in men). This finding suggests that the ADH2*1 allele is associated with a lower insulin concentration when alcohol intake is light or moderate. It also suggests that the genetic effect of ADH2*1 plays an important role in alcohol drinking behavior and in the occurrence of liver injury, but the effect is so mild that it does not influence the glucose-insulin axis or prevalence of diabetes.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed2005

Effect of smoking habit on age-related changes in serum lipids: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis in a large Japanese cohort.

To observe the effect of smoking habit on age-related serum lipid levels, we examined a large cohort of Japanese cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The participants included 103,648 Japanese men and women 17-94 years of age, who had received annual health examinations from 1989 to 2003. In cross-sectional analysis, total and LDL cholesterol levels of smokers were lower than those of nonsmokers up to an elderly age in men and up to middle age in women. Smoking was associated with decreased HDL cholesterol levels up to the 65-74 years age group in men and 55-64 years in women. The triglyceride levels were higher in smokers in both genders than those of nonsmokers below 55-64 years. In the longitudinal analysis, although smoking was associated with lower total and LDL cholesterol up to 60 years of age in women, beyond the sixties an inverted association was observed. The associations of smoking with lower LDL cholesterol levels in men and lower HDL cholesterol in both genders were fairly consistent at any given age. The increase of triglyceride levels in female smokers remained rather constant between 25 and 75 years, whereas the increase in triglyceride levels in male smokers was greater with older ages up to middle age. These results suggest that the effect of smoking on the serum lipid levels is dependent on age and gender.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Association of polymorphisms in CYP17A1, MTP, and VLDLR with bone mineral density in community-dwelling Japanese women and men.

We examined whether a -34T --> C polymorphism of the gene for cytochrome P450, family 17, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP17A1), a -493G --> T polymorphism of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene (MTP), and a CGG repeat polymorphism of the very low density lipoprotein receptor gene (VLDLR) were associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in community-dwelling Japanese women and men. The -34T --> C polymorphism of CYP17A1 was associated with BMD in postmenopausal women, with the CC genotype being related to increased BMD. The -493G --> T polymorphism of MTP was associated with BMD in premenopausal women, with the TT genotype being related to increased BMD. The CGG repeat polymorphism of VLDLR was associated with BMD in men, with two (CGG)(n > or= 8) alleles being related to increased BMD. These results suggest that CYP17A1 and MTP are susceptibility loci for increased BMD in postmenopausal and premenopausal Japanese women, respectively, and that VLDLR constitutes such a locus in Japanese men.

Asian People↗

PubMed2005

Cholecystokinin A receptor gene promoter polymorphism and intelligence.

PURPOSE: To study the association between Cholecystokinin A receptor (CCKAR) genotypes and intelligence in community-living men and women. METHOD: Subjects were 2251 community-dwelling Japanese men and women aged 40 to 79 years. The CCKAR gene promoter polymorphisms A-81G and G-128T were determined. Intelligence was assessed by Japanese Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales - Revised Short Forms (JWAIS-R SF). The difference in intelligence between wild type and mutation was tested. RESULTS: There were no subjects with AA/GT, AA/TT, or AG/TT genotypic combinations. Both A-81G and G-128T genotypes were related to intelligence quotient (IQ) estimated by JWAIS-R SF. The mean and SE of IQ levels of subjects with the wild-type allele and the mutation allele at nucleotide -128 were 103.4 +/- 0.3 and 101.6 +/- 0.6, respectively. There was a significant difference in IQ for G-128T (p=0.008). The difference in IQ for A-81G was also significant (p=0.011). The IQ level was 103.6 +/- 0.4 in the subjects with the wild-type allele and 102.0 +/- 0.5 in the subjects with the mutation. Differences in IQ levels by haplotypes for combinations of A-81G/G-128T were examined. IQ significantly decreased with an increasing number of mutation alleles (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: There were statistically significant differences in IQ for CCKAR gene promoter polymorphisms A-81G and G-128T in community-living Japanese.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Is there a relevant effect of noise and smoking on hearing? A population-based aging study.

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate both the respective and combined effects of occupational noise exposure and smoking on hearing, taking age into consideration. The evaluation was conducted using 1478 subjects without a history of ear disease out of a population-based sample of 2267 adults, aged 40 79 years. Pure-tone audiometry and a questionnaire were administered. A deleterious effect of noise exposure on hearing was significantly observed in both genders at many frequencies after adjustment for age, income, and education. The smoking habit alone significantly affected hearing deterioration at 4000 Hz in noise-unexposed males. The combined effect of noise and smoking was not interactive but additive. A dose-response effect of smoking on hearing loss was observed in middle-aged males without noise exposure. Smoking and noise exposure were associated with hearing loss respectively.. This result is noteworthy for the preservation of good hearing especially at the beginning of aging.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 increased the risk of pancreatic cancer among smokers in a Japanese male population.

OBJECTIVES: Most of the acetaldehyde, a recognized animal carcinogen, generated during alcohol metabolism is eliminated by liver mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). More than 40% of Japanese have the inactive form of ALDH2, and inactive ALDH2 is a risk factor for multiple cancers of the esophagus as well as head and neck cancer. Possible associations between pancreatic cancer and ALDH2 gene polymorphism, in conjunction with smoking and/or drinking habits, were examined in a Japanese population. METHODS: We investigated 114 patients (70 male and 44 female) with pancreatic cancer and compared them with 2070 control subjects (1050 male and 1020 female). The drinking (5 g ethanol consumption/d) and/or smoking habits as well as ALDH2 gene polymorphism were examined. RESULTS: In male subjects, the frequency of the active form of ALDH2 (2*1/2*1) was lower in pancreatic cancer patients than in control subjects (P = 0.018). The frequency of subjects with both smoking and drinking habits was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer patients than in control subjects having ALDH2*1/2*1 and ALDH2*1/2*2. The frequency of smoking habit alone was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer patients compared with control subjects having inactive ALDH2. Drinking habit had no relation to pancreatic cancer. In female subjects, neither habit had a relation to pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking habit did increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, and this risk was further enhanced in subjects with inactive ALDH2 in a male population but not in a female population. There was no relationship between drinking habit and pancreatic cancer in either sex population.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Serum total and free testosterone level of Japanese men: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: There has never been a large scale population-based study of serum levels of total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) in Japanese men. METHODS: We determined serum levels of TT and FT of 1120 Japanese men aged 40-79 years using radioimmunoassay (RIA), as a part of a population-based longitudinal study of aging. Of these, sex hormone binding protein (SHBG) was also measured by RIA in 471 men. For the latter group, the calculated free testosterone (cFT) was determined by a formula using serum level of albumin, TT and SHBG. RESULTS: The mean +/- 2 SD of TT, FT and cFT were 513 +/- 326 ng/dL (187-839 ng/dL), 13.2 +/- 7.8) pg/mL (5.4-21.0 pg/mL) and 77.0 +/- 43.4 pg/mL (33.6-120.4 pg/mL), respectively. While TT did not relate to age, FT and cFT decreased with age. FT in the 40-49 years age group was 15.1 +/- 8.4 pg/mL (6.7-23.5 pg/mL), in the 50-59 years age group was 13.9 +/- 6.8 pg/mL (7.1-20.7 pg/mL), in the 60-69 years age group was 12.0 +/- 6.6 pg/mL (5.4-18.6 pg/mL) and in the 70-79 years age group was 11.5 +/- 7.0 pg/mL (4.5-18.5 pg/mL). FT significantly correlated with cFT (Spearman's r = 0.803). The correspondence rates were 92.3% at the mean -1 SD and 98.7% at the mean -2 SD level. CONCLUSIONS: We determined the mean and standard deviation of TT, FT and cFT in Japanese men aged 40 years or older. It is supposed that FT determined by RIA would be useful for diagnosing partial androgen deficiency of aging males.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Association of a -1997G-->T polymorphism of the collagen Ialpha1 gene with bone mineral density in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Genetic variants that affect collagen Ialpha1 metabolism may be important in the development of osteoporosis or osteoporotic fractures. A -1997G-->T polymorphism in the promoter of the collagen Ialpha1 gene (COL1A1) was shown to be associated with bone mineral density (BMD) for the lumbar spine in postmenopausal Spanish women. The relation of this polymorphism to BMD in Japanese women or men has now been examined in a population-based study. The subjects (1,110 women, 1,126 men) were 40 to 79 years of age and were randomly recruited for a population-based prospective cohort study of aging and age-related diseases. BMD for the lumbar spine, right femoral neck, right trochanter, and right Ward's triangle was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Genotypes for the -1997G-->T polymorphism of COL1A1 were determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system. When all women were analyzed together, BMD for the lumbar spine and trochanter was significantly lower in subjects with the COL1A1 *G/*G genotype than in those in the combined group of COL1A1 *G/*T and COL1A1 *T/*T genotypes. When postmenopausal women were analyzed separately, BMD for the femoral neck and trochanter was also significantly lower in those with the COL1A1 *G/*G genotype than in those with the COL1A1 *G/*T genotype or those in the combined group of COL1A1*G/*T and COL1A1 *T/*T genotypes. BMD was not associated with -1997G-->T genotype in premenopausal women or in men. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that -1997G-->T genotype affected BMD at various sites with a variance of 0.46-0.62% for all women and 0.61-1.01% for postmenopausal women. The -1997G-->T genotype was not related to the serum concentration of osteocalcin, the serum activity of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, or the urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline or cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen in men or in premenopausal or postmenopausal women. These results suggest that COL1A1 is a susceptibility locus for reduced BMD in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2005

[The effects of bereavement of friends on depression in adulthood: age and family support as moderators].

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the moderating effects of age and social support from family members in the relationship between the bereavement of friends and depression. The participants were 1 402 Japanese community-dwelling men and women aged between 40 and 79 years, who had done the baseline and the two-year follow-up surveys of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). By using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, we detected a significant interaction between age, social support from family members, and the bereavement of friends. Younger participants who were receiving less support from family members after the loss of friends showed significantly higher depression scores.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Association of polymorphisms of the androgen receptor and klotho genes with bone mineral density in Japanese women.

Genetic variants of the androgen receptor and klotho protein may contribute to variation in bone mass as well as to predisposition to osteoporosis. The relationship of a CAG repeat polymorphism of the androgen receptor gene (AR) and of a -395G-->A polymorphism of the klotho gene (KL) to bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese women was examined in a population-based study. The subjects (1,101 and 1,110 women for AR and KL polymorphisms, respectively) were aged 40-79 years and were randomly recruited to a population-based prospective cohort study of aging and age-related diseases. BMD for the total body, lumbar spine, right femoral neck, right trochanter, and right Ward's triangle was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genotypes for the AR and KL polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction based assays. The number of CAG repeats of AR was inversely correlated with BMD for the lumbar spine in premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women. The (CAG)(n</=22) and (CAG)(n>/=23) alleles were designated S and L, respectively. Among premenopausal women, BMD for the total body was significantly lower in subjects with the LL genotype than in those with the SS genotype or those in the combined group of SS and SL genotypes. In contrast, BMD was not associated with AR genotype in postmenopausal women. Among all women, BMD for the lumbar spine was significantly lower in subjects with the GG genotype of the -395G-->A polymorphism of KL than in those with the AA genotype. BMD was not associated with -395G-->A genotype among premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, BMD for the total body or lumbar spine tended to be lower in subjects with the GG genotype than in those with the AA genotype or those in the combined group of GA and AA genotypes. These results suggest that AR is a susceptibility gene for reduced BMD in premenopausal Japanese women, and that KL is a susceptibility gene for reduced BMD in all women.

Bone Density↗

PubMed2004

The clock drawing test as a valid screening method for mild cognitive impairment.

To validate the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) as a screening method for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to find the appropriate scoring protocol and its cutoff point, we compared the sensitivity and specificity of three CDT protocols. Subjects included 219 outpatients with memory complaints, who were attending the geriatric memory clinic. Cahn's protocol, with a cutoff point of 7, was more successful at differentiating clinically diagnosed MCI subjects from normal elderly individuals, with higher sensitivity (74.7%) and specificity (75.6%), than were the other protocols. The CDT, as a handy screening method, may be useful for clinicians to reliably identify subjects with MCI, and it may contribute to early detection of dementia.

Aged↗