Mild cognitive impairment

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Mild cognitive impairment
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Memory loss, difficulty with complex tasks, trouble with planning
Complications N/A
Onset Typically after age 65
Duration Can be stable, progress to dementia, or improve
Types N/A
Causes Alzheimer's disease, vascular disease, Lewy body dementia
Risks Age, genetics, diabetes, hypertension
Diagnosis Neuropsychological test, MRI, CT scan
Differential diagnosis Dementia, depression, normal aging
Prevention N/A
Treatment Cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, lifestyle changes
Medication N/A
Prognosis Variable; some progress to dementia, others remain stable
Frequency 10-20% of people over age 65
Deaths N/A


Some people with memory problems have a condition called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. MCI has several types. The type most associated with memory loss is called amnestic MCI.

Symptoms of MCI[edit]

People with amnestic MCI have more memory problems than normal for people their age, but their symptoms are not as severe as those of people with Alzheimer's disease. For example, they do not experience the personality changes or other problems that are characteristic of Alzheimer's. People with MCI are still able to carry out their normal daily activities. Signs of MCI include:

  • Losing things often
  • Forgetting to go to events or appointments
  • Having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age

Movement difficulties and problems with the sense of smell have also been linked to MCI.

Diagnosing MCI[edit]

Family and friends may notice memory lapses, and the person with MCI may worry about losing his or her memory. These worries may prompt the person to see a doctor for diagnosis. Researchers have found that more people with MCI than those without it go on to develop Alzheimer's. However, not everyone who has MCI develops Alzheimer's disease. About 8 of every 10 people who fit the definition of amnestic MCI go on to develop Alzheimer's disease within 7 years. In contrast, 1 to 3 percent of people older than 65 who have normal cognition will develop Alzheimer's in any one year. Research suggests genetic factors may play a role in who will develop MCI, as they do in Alzheimer's. Studies are underway to learn why some people with MCI progress to Alzheimer's and others do not. A doctor can do thinking, memory, and language tests to see if a person has MCI. He or she also may suggest that the person see a specialist for more tests. There currently is no standard treatment for MCI, but there are things a person can do that may help them stay healthy and deal with changes in their thinking. Because MCI may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, it's important to see a doctor or specialist every 6 to 12 months. Browse Anti-aging health topics A-Z

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z


# - A[edit]

Advance care planning

Aging in place

Alcohol use or abuse

Alzheimer's dementia

Alzheimer’s caregiving

Anti-aging and longevity

Assisted living and nursing homes

B[edit]

Bladder health

Brain health

C[edit]

Calorie restriction

Caregiver health

Caregiving

Clinical trials and studies

Cognitive health

Constipation

D[edit]

Dementia

Depression

Diabetes

Disaster preparedness

Doctor-patient communication

Down syndrome

Driving and transportation

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

E[edit]

Elder abuse

End of life

Estrogen

Exercise and physical activity

Eyes and vision

F[edit]

Falls and falls prevention

Family caregivers

Fatigue

Financial planning and protection

Flu

Frontotemporal disorders

  G[edit]

Genes and genetics

Grief

H[edit]

Healthcare professionals information

Healthy aging

Healthy eating, nutrition, and diet

Hearing

Heart health

High blood pressure

HIV/AIDS

Home health care

Home safety

Hormones

Hospice

Hospitals and hospitalization

Hyperthermia

Hypothermia

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

I[edit]

Immunizations and shots

Incontinence

L[edit]

Legal and financial issues in Alzheimer's

Legal planning

Lewy body dementia

Living wills and advance directives

Long-distance caregiving

Long-term care

M[edit]

Medicines and medication management

Memory loss and forgetfulness

Menopause

Mental and emotional health

Men’s health - benign prostatic hypertrophy

Mild cognitive impairment

Mixed dementia

Mourning and grief

Movement disorders and problems

N[edit]

Nutrition

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

O[edit]

Organ donation

Osteoarthritis

Osteoporosis

P[edit]

Pain

Palliative care

Parkinson’s disease

Prostate

R[edit]

Related dementias

S[edit]

Safety

Sexuality

Shingles

Skin care

Sleep

Smoking

Social activity

Speech disorders and problems

Stroke

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

T[edit]

Talking with your doctor

Talking with your older patient

Teeth and mouth

Testosterone

U[edit]

Urinary incontinence

V[edit]

Vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia

Vitamins and supplements

W[edit]

Women’s health



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