Personality and cognition in mild cognitive impairment: predictive role of neuroticism

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPersonality traits are usually defined as recurrent and distinctive patterns of thoughts, sensations and actions that present in response to specific requests. In the elderly, personality functioning has been associated with dementia risk. However, the relationship between personality traits and cognitive function in subject at risk of cognitive decline has not been explored yet. The aim of this study is to assess the predictive role of personality traits on cognitive and psychopathological function in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Method45 subjects (mean age: 73.6±8.9; mean education: 11.2±4.7) with a diagnosis of MCI e 50 healthy older adults (OA) (mean age: 70.8±6.9; mean education: 9.7±3.7) were enrolled. All participants underwent a neuropsychometric assessment including the evaluation of visuo‐spatial, executive and memory functions, as well as behavioural symptoms with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory questionnaire. Personality traits were evaluated with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ‐R).ResultMCI subjects showed significantly poorer performances on visuo‐spatial, executive and memory tasks compared to OA, as well as more severe depression, apathy, irritability, and sleep disturbances. MCI subjects had higher prevalence of neurotic and introvert traits on the personality test. In MCI subjects, neuroticism was correlated with performance on word repetition test and stroop test, as well as with higher agitation and depression. Introvertion trait was correlated with MMSE and Trail Making test scores. Regression analysis showed a signtificant association between neuroticism, executive function and depression in MCI.ConclusionSpecific personality traits, especially neuroticism, might represent a predictive factor for executive functions decline and for depression in MCI. A deeper understanding of personality functioning in subjects with MCI might help develop more tailored treatments aimed at dementia prevention in these subjects.