Prevalence of subjective cognitive decline with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology in a community-based Chinese cohort

BackgroundEarly detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is critical for timely intervention. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), defined as self-perceived cognitive worsening while objective performance on standardized tests remains normal, when accompanied by neurodegenerative changes on brain imaging (e.g., hippocampal atrophy), can be classified as SCD with neurodegeneration of AD form (SCD-NDAD). This phenotype may represent an early stage of AD.ObjectiveInvestigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of SCD-NDAD in general population.Methods: This multicenter, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2019 across 31 communities in eight major cities of northern, eastern, southern, and western China. Community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older were recruited through cluster sampling. Participants underwent standardized interviews, neuropsychological assessments, and magnetic resonance imaging, on the basis of which SCD-NDAD was identified. The prevalence of SCD-NDAD was estimated with age- and sex-standardized weights.ResultsOf 5054 participants (mean age 69.4 years, 60.6% women), 2886 completed MRI. In participants aged ≥50 years, the prevalence of SCD-NDAD was 4.9% (95% confidence interval: 4.1% to 5.8%). In participants aged 65 years and older, prevalence increased to 6.5% (95% confidence interval: 5.5% to 7.7%). While these individuals exhibited preserved cognitive function across all domains, they demonstrated significant hippocampal atrophy, a key marker of AD-related neurodegeneration.ConclusionsSCD-NDAD is common among older adults in China, with an estimated prevalence affecting 12.4 million individuals aged ≥65 years. Identifying this cohort may offer a critical window for early intervention and holds significant implications for public health strategies aimed at dementia prevention.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Alzheimer s Disease
Published
2026-01-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877251411413
Primary Topic
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Prevalence of subjective cognitive decline with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology in a community-based Chinese cohort

Yaoda Hu, QinYong Ye, Hankui Liu, Chen Wz et al.
Journal of Alzheimer s Disease
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
article

Prevalence of subjective cognitive decline with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology in a community-based Chinese cohort

Yaoda Hu, QinYong Ye, Hankui Liu, Chen Wz, Honglin Hao, Wen Xiao, Jinsong Jiao, Hu Qiao, Ping Gao, Piu Chan, Jiaoyun Yang, Yanping Wang, Jun Zhang, Ning An, Cui Liying, Hui You, Fangfang Ge, Ying Yuan, Qi Xu, Cui Ruixue, longze sha, Bo Hou, Yanfeng Li, Ling Li, Zhentao Zuo, Qunan Wang, Guangliang Shan, Yan Zhou, Yang Lü, Zhen-Xin Zhang, Yongjun Wang, David J. Libon, Wei Zhang, Lei Wang, Jing Yuan, Jianhua He, Qiumin Qu, Feng Feng, Gustavo C. Román
article en

Abstract

BackgroundEarly detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is critical for timely intervention. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), defined as self-perceived cognitive worsening while objective performance on standardized tests remains normal, when accompanied by neurodegenerative changes on brain imaging (e.g., hippocampal atrophy), can be classified as SCD with neurodegeneration of AD form (SCD-NDAD). This phenotype may represent an early stage of AD.ObjectiveInvestigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of SCD-NDAD in general population.Methods: This multicenter, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2019 across 31 communities in eight major cities of northern, eastern, southern, and western China. Community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older were recruited through cluster sampling. Participants underwent standardized interviews, neuropsychological assessments, and magnetic resonance imaging, on the basis of which SCD-NDAD was identified. The prevalence of SCD-NDAD was estimated with age- and sex-standardized weights.ResultsOf 5054 participants (mean age 69.4 years, 60.6% women), 2886 completed MRI. In participants aged ≥50 years, the prevalence of SCD-NDAD was 4.9% (95% confidence interval: 4.1% to 5.8%). In participants aged 65 years and older, prevalence increased to 6.5% (95% confidence interval: 5.5% to 7.7%). While these individuals exhibited preserved cognitive function across all domains, they demonstrated significant hippocampal atrophy, a key marker of AD-related neurodegeneration.ConclusionsSCD-NDAD is common among older adults in China, with an estimated prevalence affecting 12.4 million individuals aged ≥65 years. Identifying this cohort may offer a critical window for early intervention and holds significant implications for public health strategies aimed at dementia prevention.

Journal of Alzheimer s DiseaseVol. 109(4)
BGI Group (China) (CN), Houston Methodist (US), Fujian Medical University (CN), Hefei University of Technology (CN), Capital Medical University (CN), Anhui Medical University (CN), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN), Peking University (CN), Cornell University (US), China-Japan Friendship Hospital (CN), Peking Union Medical College Hospital (CN), PLA Rocket Force University of Engineering (CN), Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (CN), Soochow University (CN), Beijing Geriatric Hospital (CN), Beijing Tian Tan Hospital (CN), Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (CN), First People's Hospital of Yuhang District (CN), Institute of Biophysics (CN), Beijing Xuanwu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (CN), Beijing Anzhen Hospital (CN), First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN), Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (CN), The Affiliated Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (CN), First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (CN), Peking University Third Hospital (CN), Beijing Haidian Hospital (CN), Union Hospital (CN), Beijing Chaoyang Emergency Medical Center (CN), First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University (CN), Rowan University (US), Zhejiang University (CN), Chongqing Medical University (CN), Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 89%
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
DOISourceOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.