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Cognitive frailty: What is still missing?

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

In recent years, the complex relationship between frailty and cognitive functioning has been increasingly investigated. Accordingly, the concept of “cognitive frailty” was recently proposed to describe a clinical condition characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of both physical frailty and cognitive impairment, in absence of overt dementia diagnosis or underlying neurological conditions. This novel construct has several elements of novelty and may delineate a promising target for preventive and therapeutic actions against age-related conditions. In the present paper we discuss the main issues that are still limiting the clinical and research implementation of the cognitive frailty construct. In particular, a) how to operationalize its definition; b) the supporting epidemiological data; and c) the underlying clinical and biological characteristics constitute points that need to be addressed and clarified.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, “Sapienza” University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Marco Canevelli

  2. Gérontopôle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France

    Marco Canevelli & M. Cesari

  3. INSERM UMR 1027, Université Paul Sabatier — Toulouse III, Toulouse, France

    M. Cesari

Authors
  1. Marco Canevelli
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  2. M. Cesari
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Correspondence to Marco Canevelli.

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Canevelli, M., Cesari, M. Cognitive frailty: What is still missing?. J Nutr Health Aging 19, 273–275 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0464-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0464-5

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