INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are mental and behavioral alterations that include several psychopathological domains, such as depression, anxiety, apathy, among others. NPS are present in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and are risk factors for cognitive decline, although the relationship between SNP and specific cognitive domains is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess whether there is a correlation between NPS and specific cognitive domains. 

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess whether there were differences in sociodemographic profile, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological tests between participants with MCI with and without NPS. 

SETTING: Data from the "Take Care of Your Memory" program of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) was analyzed. 

PARTICIPANTS: patients with MCI, aged 55 years or older were included. 

RESULTS: There were differences between the groups with and without NPS in terms of years of education, performance in attention tests, and executive functions. Psychotic symptoms were correlated with deficits in visuospatial functions, irritability and agitation with inattention and deficit of inhibitory control; and depression with inattention. 

CONCLUSIONS: Correlations were found between some SNPs with each other, resulting in some clusters, and these with specific cognitive domains, especially psychotic symptoms, but also agitation, irritability, apathy, and depression.

Physician since 2012, with medical residency in psychiatry in 2017, medical residency in Neuropsychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry in 2018 and master’s degree in medical sciences in 2023. Currently, persuing a PhD at the Post-Graduate Program in Medical Phisiology. All academic training and production were carried out at the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Special interest in neuropsychiatric symptoms in subjects with neurocognitive disorders. Also, supervisor of the Ambulatory of Psychogeriatrics of the Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), in addition to providing care in private practice.