Mild behavioral impairment in the general population aged 55+ and its association with incident dementia

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the dementia risk associated with mild behavioral impairment (MBI) and its domains in older community‐dwelling individuals. A total 4803 community‐dwelling individuals aged over 55 years were followed for 4.5 years (ZARADEMP study). MBI was assessed according to the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) diagnostic criteria using the Geriatric Mental State (GMS). Odds ratios (OR) for incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) were determined using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders (such as age, disability, or vascular disease). In cognitively normal individuals, decreased motivation was the only MBI domain that was associated with an increased risk of all‐cause dementia (OR: 2.30 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.16‐4.61]) in multivariable analyses, although the increase in the risk of AD was not statistically significant. Our findings suggest that decreased motivation may be a phenotypic marker for individuals at risk of dementia. Further research is required to evaluate the association between MBI domains and different types of dementia.