ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to provide a summary of the multiple perspectives on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) presented in the preceding chapters of this book. In these chapters, the authors have provided information about MCI derived from multiple studies involving different samples from a variety of countries. The introductory chapter discussed the epidemiology of MCI and related constructs (e.g., CIND, AD, dementias) and base rate differences among different samples (e.g., population-based studies, studies involving various samples of convenience). In this introductory chapter, challenges confronting researchers studying MCI were identified. The next three sections described the findings from different perspectives and from different parts of the world. To facilitate comparisons between chapters, each chapter described the types of information collected in the study, how MCI was defined, and the important information concerning MCI emerging from that study. The final section of this book described the status of intervention research for persons with MCI (e.g., pharmacologic and behavioral). Our intent in bringing together this information was to provide a comprehensive examination of the concept of MCI that would offer a composite picture of the current understanding of MCI and suggest future directions for research.
