Affiliation:
1. Department of Translational Medical Sciences University of Naples “Federico II” Naples Italy
2. Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry University of Naples “Federico II” Naples Italy
3. Department of Clinic and Experimental Medicine University of Foggia 71122 Foggia Italy
4. Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences University of Naples “Federico II” Naples Italy
5. Department of Economics and Statistics University of Naples “Federico II” Naples Italy
6. Department of Social Sciences University of Naples “Federico II” Naples Italy
Abstract
AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to assess and contrast cognitive and psychological aspects of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS‐MCI) and geriatric patients (G‐MCI) with mild cognitive impairment, focusing on potential predictors like pain, mood disorders, blood biomarkers, and age‐related white matter changes (ARWMCs).MethodsThe study enrolled 40 BMS‐MCI and 40 geriatric G‐MCI, matching them by age, gender, and educational background. Participants underwent psychological, sleepiness, and cognitive assessment including the Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE), Trail Making Test (TMT), Corsi Block‐Tapping Task, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Copying Geometric Drawings Test, Frontal Assessment Battery, and Digit Cancellation Test.ResultsG‐MCI patients exhibited higher ARWMCs scores in right (p = 0.005**) and left (p < 0.001**) temporal regions, which may relate to specific neurodegenerative processes. Conversely, BMS‐MCI patients showed higher levels of depression and anxiety and lower MMSE scores(p < 0.001**), also struggling more with tasks requiring processing speed and executive function, as evidenced by their higher TMT‐A scores (p < 0.001**).ConclusionsThe study highlights particular deficits in global cognition and processing speed for BMS‐MCI. The influence of educational background, pain levels, cholesterol, sleep disturbances, and anxiety on these cognitive assessments underscores the need for personalized therapeutic strategies addressing both cognitive and emotional aspects of MCI.