Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by
memory complaints and impaired performance on memory
tasks in older persons. These deficits occur in the face
of preserved general cognitive function, an absence of significant
functional repercussions and an absence of dementia
[1] . MCI is common in older persons, with a prevalence
of between 3 and 19% in the general population of
older adults. Although persons with MCI do not meet the
criteria for dementia, 20–50% of these persons will develop
dementia over a period of 2–3 years [1, 2] . This is far
greater than the conversion rate observed in the normal
population (1–5% per year), or even in a population of persons
who complain about their memory, but do not have
memory deficits (0.3–6% per year). Hence, MCI appears
to capture a group of individuals in a transitional state between
normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).