The Medical Research Council
Cognitive Function and Ageing Study

(MRC CFAS)

Operationalisation of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Welcome to the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study [CFAS] diagnostic algorithm for the classification of Mild Cognitive Impairment [MCI].

This site contains a diagnostic work-up of MCI from 18 different definitions based on an informal consensus developmental process by the CFAS MCI Research Team. A symptom check list required for diagnosis has been constructed. This provides a structured decision support tool that can be implemented in clinical and research settings, allowing for consistency in application and better comparability of research findings.

The following pages include the interactive diagnostic symptom checklist for operationalisation of MCI as well as a detailed description of each of the different classification systems with their unique decision trees.

From the interactive system a diagnosis can be obtained in two ways:

1. Selecting the given classification to display the criteria that are required to full that definition.
2. Specifying the presence or absence of specific symptoms. Following selection the program will highlight possible classifications based on the combination of criteria selected.

Launch the interactive page (requires Javascript; opens a new window)

Also available is a printable Powerpoint presentation that graphically describes the checklist of symptoms required to arrive at a given diagnosis. This is presented using a flow-diagram. The unique algorithm for each system is available with accompanying text detailing the classification.

Download the printable version

Key to classification systems for describing Mild Cognitive Impairment [MCI] with references

Send comments/suggestions to web master Emily Zhao