Cognitive Impairment Prediction in MCI and Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of MMSE and Face Recognition Deficits

Ahmet Şair; Simel Ayar; Yaşan Bilge Şair; Bilge Doğan

Article Details

Cognitive Impairment Prediction in MCI and Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of MMSE and Face Recognition Deficits

Authors:

Ahmet Şair | Simel Ayar | Yaşan Bilge Şair | Bilge Doğan

Publisher:

Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Main Topics:

Psychiatry | Central Nervous System | Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases

Journal:

Meandros Medical And Dental Journal Vol.26 Issue 3, pp.335-339

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358697

pISSN:

2149-9063

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Objective: Face recognition deficits may serve as early indicators of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment MCI and Alzheimers disease AD. This study investigates facial recognition performance in individuals with MCI and AD compared to cognitively healthy controls, exploring its association with global cognitive functioning MMSE, demographic factors, and depressive symptoms. Methods: Neuropsychological records of individuals aged 6580 were retrospectively reviewed. Participants were grouped as cognitively healthy controls, MCI, or AD. All had completed the Mini-Mental State Examination MMSE, Benton Face Recognition Test BFRT, and Geriatric Depression Scale GDS. Statistical comparisons were conducted using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests, followed by correlation and regression analyses. Results: Significant group differences were observed in MMSE scores, BFRT long form age- and education-adjusted, short form, and Part A scores. No differences were found in GDS scores or BFRT Part B. The control group outperformed both MCI and AD groups in face recognition tasks, particularly in basic face matching BFRT Part A, with more pronounced deficits in AD. Regression analysis identified MMSE as the strongest predictor of cognitive impairment. While facial recognition impairments were observed in both MCI and AD groups, the MMSE was more effective in identifying overall cognitive decline. Conclusion: Face recognition deficits, especially in basic perceptual matching, are evident in early AD and may provide supplementary diagnostic information. However, MMSE remains the most robust tool for detecting general cognitive impairment. Combining global and domain-specific assessments may enhance early detection strategies. Limitations include retrospective design, group differences in age and education, and absence of neuroimaging or biomarker data.

 Objective: Face recognition deficits may serve as early indicators of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment MCI and Alzheimers disease AD. This study investigates facial recognition performance in individuals with MCI and AD compared to cognitively healthy controls, exploring its association with global cognitive functioning MMSE, demographic factors, and depressive symptoms. Methods: Neuropsychological records of individuals aged 6580 were retrospectively reviewed. Participants were grouped as cognitively healthy controls, MCI, or AD. All had completed the Mini-Mental State Examination MMSE, Benton Face Recognition Test BFRT, and Geriatric Depression Scale GDS. Statistical comparisons were conducted using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests, followed by correlation and regression analyses. Results: Significant group differences were observed in MMSE scores, BFRT long form age- and education-adjusted, short form, and Part A scores. No differences were found in GDS scores or BFRT Part B. The control group outperformed both MCI and AD groups in face recognition tasks, particularly in basic face matching BFRT Part A, with more pronounced deficits in AD. Regression analysis identified MMSE as the strongest predictor of cognitive impairment. While facial recognition impairments were observed in both MCI and AD groups, the MMSE was more effective in identifying overall cognitive decline. Conclusion: Face recognition deficits, especially in basic perceptual matching, are evident in early AD and may provide supplementary diagnostic information. However, MMSE remains the most robust tool for detecting general cognitive impairment. Combining global and domain-specific assessments may enhance early detection strategies. Limitations include retrospective design, group differences in age and education, and absence of neuroimaging or biomarker data.

 Objective: Face recognition deficits may serve as early indicators of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment MCI and Alzheimers disease AD. This study investigates facial recognition performance in individuals with MCI and AD compared to cognitively healthy controls, exploring its association with global cognitive functioning MMSE, demographic factors, and depressive symptoms. Methods: Neuropsychological records of individuals aged 6580 were retrospectively reviewed. Participants were grouped as cognitively healthy controls, MCI, or AD. All had completed the Mini-Mental State Examination MMSE, Benton Face Recognition Test BFRT, and Geriatric Depression Scale GDS. Statistical comparisons were conducted using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests, followed by correlation and regression analyses. Results: Significant group differences were observed in MMSE scores, BFRT long form age- and education-adjusted, short form, and Part A scores. No differences were found in GDS scores or BFRT Part B. The control group outperformed both MCI and AD groups in face recognition tasks, particularly in basic face matching BFRT Part A, with more pronounced deficits in AD. Regression analysis identified MMSE as the strongest predictor of cognitive impairment. While facial recognition impairments were observed in both MCI and AD groups, the MMSE was more effective in identifying overall cognitive decline. Conclusion: Face recognition deficits, especially in basic perceptual matching, are evident in early AD and may provide supplementary diagnostic information. However, MMSE remains the most robust tool for detecting general cognitive impairment. Combining global and domain-specific assessments may enhance early detection strategies. Limitations include retrospective design, group differences in age and education, and absence of neuroimaging or biomarker data.

 Objective: Face recognition deficits may serve as early indicators of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment MCI and Alzheimers disease AD. This study investigates facial recognition performance in individuals with MCI and AD compared to cognitively healthy controls, exploring its association with global cognitive functioning MMSE, demographic factors, and depressive symptoms. Methods: Neuropsychological records of individuals aged 6580 were retrospectively reviewed. Participants were grouped as cognitively healthy controls, MCI, or AD. All had completed the Mini-Mental State Examination MMSE, Benton Face Recognition Test BFRT, and Geriatric Depression Scale GDS. Statistical comparisons were conducted using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests, followed by correlation and regression analyses. Results: Significant group differences were observed in MMSE scores, BFRT long form age- and education-adjusted, short form, and Part A scores. No differences were found in GDS scores or BFRT Part B. The control group outperformed both MCI and AD groups in face recognition tasks, particularly in basic face matching BFRT Part A, with more pronounced deficits in AD. Regression analysis identified MMSE as the strongest predictor of cognitive impairment. While facial recognition impairments were observed in both MCI and AD groups, the MMSE was more effective in identifying overall cognitive decline. Conclusion: Face recognition deficits, especially in basic perceptual matching, are evident in early AD and may provide supplementary diagnostic information. However, MMSE remains the most robust tool for detecting general cognitive impairment. Combining global and domain-specific assessments may enhance early detection strategies. Limitations include retrospective design, group differences in age and education, and absence of neuroimaging or biomarker data.

Article Details

Cognitive Impairment Prediction in MCI and Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of MMSE and Face Recognition Deficits

Authors:

Ahmet Şair | Simel Ayar | Yaşan Bilge Şair | Bilge Doğan

Publisher:

Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Main Topics:

Psychiatry | Central Nervous System | Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases

Journal:

Meandros Medical And Dental Journal Vol.26 Issue 3, pp.335-339

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358697

pISSN:

2149-9063

Alzheirmer's disease

Mild Cognitive ımpairment

Benton Face recognition test

Standardized mini mental test

Issues

Article Details

Cognitive Impairment Prediction in MCI and Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of MMSE and Face Recognition Deficits

Authors: Ahmet Şair | Simel Ayar | Yaşan Bilge Şair | Bilge Doğan

Publisher: Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Main Topics: Psychiatry | Central Nervous System | Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases

Journal: Meandros Medical And Dental Journal Vol.26 Issue 3, pp.335-339

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001358697

pISSN: 2149-9063

Alzheirmer's disease

Mild Cognitive ımpairment

Benton Face recognition test

Standardized mini mental test

Issues

Authors:

Ahmet Şair | Simel Ayar | Yaşan Bilge Şair | Bilge Doğan

Publisher:

Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Main Topics:

Psychiatry | Central Nervous System | Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases

Journal:

Meandros Medical And Dental Journal Vol.26 Issue 3, pp.335-339

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358697

pISSN:

2149-9063