Current status and future directions for the diagnosis and management of mild cognitive impairment in Southeast Asia: A SEACURE consensus paper.

Abstract

Global aging populations are facing increased prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) - the preclinical stage of dementia characterized by single/multi-domain neurocognitive decline that does not impair an individual's normal daily functioning. Asian populations are at increased risk of developing MCI and dementia, and many cases go undetected in Southeast Asia (SEA), resulting in increased burden on patients, caregivers and national healthcare systems. There is an urgent need for efficient and scalable diagnostic and management strategies across SEA. Our findings illustrate that current strategies are limited by insufficient resources and a lack of awareness, particularly in developing SEA nations. Strategies for improving the MCI landscape in SEA include increasing widespread community awareness and cognitive health screenings for individuals with a history of vascular risk factors, validation of traditional cognitive screening tests in the respective countries, greater access to blood-biomarker testing, and the development and validation of novel digitized diagnostics.