Early screening of mild cognitive impairment based on eye-tracking technology: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Early detection is critical for the effective management of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and performance of the eye-tracking–based screening tool for early MCI detection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving individuals aged 60 years and older identified as high-risk for MCI at the Weihai Central Hospital, Weihai, China. Participants underwent the novel screening method, which incorporated an eye-tracking device during a brief digital cognitive task. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the eye-tracking method were calculated in comparison to the reference standard. RESULTS: A total of 162 participants were enrolled. The eye-tracking–based screening demonstrated an overall accuracy of 92.6%, with sensitivity of 92.4% and specificity of 93.0% in detecting MCI compared to the standard neuropsychological assessment. CONCLUSION: The novel screening method proved effective for the early detection of MCI in high-risk older adults, offering high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Its relative simplicity suggests significant potential for clinical implementation as a preliminary screening tool in community and primary care settings.