We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,189
Share

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a decline in cognitive abilities that is unusual for someone's age, but not so severe that the person cannot perform tasks associated with daily living. Previously written off as “senior moments” or normal aging, mild cognitive impairment is currently recognized as a potential sign of serious cognitive decline. There are no specific medications to treat this condition, but there are some approaches that can be used to manage it.

As people age, their brains naturally undergo some changes that lead to declines in cognitive function. Study of older adults has generated a large body of data to show the average rate of changes in cognitive function and this data can be used as a benchmark to compare a patient to people with a similar medical history and profile. If someone's cognitive abilities appear to be changing more quickly than peers in the same group, it is a sign of mild cognitive impairment.

Also known as isolated memory impairment or incipient dementia, this condition is usually noticed by people around the patient first. Someone may start to have trouble with memory recall and language, and may do things like repeating statements or forgetting that a conversation already occurred. In some people, mild cognitive impairment progresses to dementia, while others reach a stable state and stay there. The condition is believed to be associated with physical changes inside the brain that interfere with brain function, such as plaques that limit connections between neurons.

No single diagnostic test exists for this condition. The patient has to be evaluated by a neuropsychologist or neurologist. Medical imaging studies may be used to check for signs of damage to the brain such as a stroke, while a comprehensive examination is performed to explore other potential causes of the changes in cognitive function. This evaluation is used to rule out treatable causes and to check for signs of conditions that might need to be handled differently.

Some medications designed for patients with Alzheimer's disease appear to be helpful for people with mild cognitive impairment and they may be prescribed off label. Patients may also experience success with antidepressants and other medications. Once diagnosed, regular exams are recommended to see if the changes are progressive in nature. Patients may also find it beneficial to engage in activities that are designed to promote cognitive function to help them retain as many abilities as they can.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-mild-cognitive-impairment.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.