Patient education: Mild cognitive impairment (The Basics)

What is mild cognitive impairment? — 

People with mild cognitive impairment, or "MCI," have trouble with memory or thinking. "Cognitive" means related to memory and thinking. "Impairment" means having trouble doing something.

It is normal for adults to have slight memory problems as they get older. But the problems in MCI are more significant than those of normal aging. For example, you might forget things more often than before, or you might forget more important things.

Some people with MCI later develop a condition called "dementia." This is a group of brain disorders that cause more serious problems with memory and thinking. People with MCI usually don't have many problems doing their daily tasks and activities. But people with dementia might not be able to do their daily tasks or activities correctly or at all.

What are the symptoms of MCI? — 

Memory problems are the most common symptom. Some people have other types of thinking problems, like trouble concentrating, reasoning, or remembering words. It can also be more difficult to make decisions. Some people might get lost.

Some people might also feel sad, worried, or angry, act in a threatening way, or believe things that aren't true. Other people might seem less interested in activities or other things that used to be important to them.

Some people are aware of their memory changes and problems. In other cases, family members, friends, or coworkers might notice the problems first.

How can my doctor or nurse tell if I have MCI? — 

To tell if you have MCI, your doctor or nurse will:

●Talk with you and your family – They will ask about your symptoms, behavior, mood, and daily activities, and how these have changed over time.

They will also ask about your medical conditions and medicines. That's because some medical conditions and medicines can also cause memory problems. In older adults, depression can cause symptoms similar to MCI.

●Do an exam

●Ask questions to check your memory and thinking

Your doctor might do tests to check if another medical condition is causing your symptoms. These tests can include:

●Blood tests

●CT or MRI scan of your brain – These are imaging tests that create pictures of your brain.

●More detailed tests to check your memory, language, and thinking – This is called "neuropsychological" testing. It is used to learn more about how your brain and mind are working. It involves testing how well you can:

•Speak

•Write and understand language

•Learn and remember information

•Use reason and logic

•Do tasks related to math and numbers

This testing can take 1 to several hours. It is usually done by a doctor called a "neuropsychologist."

●Other tests – If your doctor suspects you have a type of demential called "Alzheimer disease," they might suggest additional tests.

How is MCI treated? — 

As of now, no medicines can prevent MCI from turning into dementia.

If you have a lot of memory problems, your doctor might prescribe a medicine used to treat Alzheimer disease. This might help with your symptoms. Plus, your doctor might suggest you avoid certain medicines, which can impair thinking.

If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer disease, you might be able to try 1 of the newer treatments that are available. These do not cure Alzheimer disease, but can slow it down somewhat. Your doctor can talk to you about whether these treatments might be an option, as well as their risks.

Your doctor will also talk with you about ways to keep your brain as healthy as possible. These include:

●Getting regular exercise

●Having an active social life

●Keeping your brain busy and active

●Making sure your blood pressure is not too high

Do people with MCI always get dementia? — 

No. Although some people with MCI get dementia later on, not all do.

There is no way to know which people with MCI will get dementia. That's why it's important to have regular follow-ups with your doctor. They can follow your symptoms to see if they change or get worse. If your symptoms do get worse, this is a sign you are more likely to develop dementia. Although most forms of dementia cannot be treated, it can help to know you are at risk. For example, if you know your problems might affect certain daily tasks or activities, you can get help in those areas. Plus, if you know your condition is not likely to improve, you and your family can make plans for the future.

More on this topic

Patient education: Evaluating memory and thinking problems (The Basics)
Patient education: Dementia (including Alzheimer disease) (The Basics)

Patient education: Dementia (including Alzheimer disease) (Beyond the Basics)