1. Identifying Key Predictors of Cognitive Dysfunction in Older People Using Supervised Machine Learning Techniques: Observational Study
- Author
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Rankin, Debbie, Black, Michaela, Flanagan, Bronac, Hughes, Catherine F, Moore, Adrian, Hoey, Leane, Wallace, Jonathan, Gill, Chris, Carlin, Paul, Molloy, Anne M, Cunningham, Conal, and McNulty, Helene
- Subjects
Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 - Abstract
BackgroundMachine learning techniques, specifically classification algorithms, may be effective to help understand key health, nutritional, and environmental factors associated with cognitive function in aging populations. ObjectiveThis study aims to use classification techniques to identify the key patient predictors that are considered most important in the classification of poorer cognitive performance, which is an early risk factor for dementia. MethodsData were used from the Trinity-Ulster and Department of Agriculture study, which included detailed information on sociodemographic, clinical, biochemical, nutritional, and lifestyle factors in 5186 older adults recruited from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, a proportion of whom (987/5186, 19.03%) were followed up 5-7 years later for reassessment. Cognitive function at both time points was assessed using a battery of tests, including the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), with a score
- Published
- 2020
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