Cognitive functional status of age-confirmed centenarians in a population-based study

The New England Centenarian Study is a population-based study of all centen arians in B towns near Boston, MA. Age was confirmed for 43 centenarians al l alive on a designated date. To determine prevalence of dementia in centen arians, the authors analyzed neuropsychological, medical, and functional st atus data for 34 (79%) of the centenarians. Definition of dementia was base d on the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease criteri a, and a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score was formulated for each parti cipant. Seven (21%) had no dementia (CDR score 0), and an additional 4 (12% ) were assigned a CDR score of 0.5, uncertain or deferred diagnosis. The re maining 22 (64%) had at least some degree of dementia, The authors calculat ed Barthel Index scores to determine ability to perform activities of daily living. There was a statistically significant correlation between CDR stor es and Barthel Index scores (r = -0.73), Correlation was strongest for thos e with no or severe dementia, with the greatest range of function measured among those with moderate dementia.