[Expert consensus on neuropsychological assessment for mild cognitive impairment (2025 edition)].

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a state of objective cognitive decline that falls between normal aging and dementia, with a high prevalence among the elderly in China. Cognitive impairments in MCI patients involve multiple cognitive domains such as memory, language, attention, executive, visuospatial functions, and social cognition, as well as non-cognitive domains such as neuropsychiatric, mood, sleep, daily living activities, and frailty. The assessment and clinical diagnosis of MCI highly rely on neuropsychological testing. In order to standardize the neuropsychological assessment of MCI, the Dementia and Cognitive Disorders Group of the Chinese Society of Neurology formulated this consensus document. It recommends tools for assessing global cognition, various cognitive domains, and non-cognitive functions suitable for both clinical and research settings. The consensus proposes assessment procedures and precautions based on the experiences of domestic researchers. Based on the latest international and domestic research advancements, using the Delphi method and the GRADE evidence system, 24 recommendations were formulated in 5 aspects of MCI: global cognitive function assessment, various cognitive domains assessment, non-cognitive assessment, the use of neuropsychological scales, and precautions in neuropsychological assessment, aiming to improve the diagnosis and management of MCI in China.