Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment

Over 16 million people are diagnosed with some degree of cognitive impairment every year, roughly equal to the population of New York City. This primarily impacts those over the age of 65, but can also impact those who have suffered a brain injury due to a stroke, concussion, accident, or brain tumor. Many of my patients come to me after being diagnosed with a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) by a neuropsychologist or neurologist, unclear on what their diagnosis actually means.  Severe cognitive impairment seems more obvious, but what does it mean to have a "Mild Cognitive Impairment?" 

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a decline in the brain’s ability to function as normal for age and educational level, but not causing problems with the ability to function in daily life. A person may have challenges doing their taxes, but be just fine planning Thanksgiving Dinner, remembering to take their medication/supplement regimen, or remembering to feed and walk their dog Bella twice daily. People with MCI commonly have memory problems and people often worry if they will develop dementia.

MCI and Dementia

Just because you have MCI does not mean you will develop dementia, but progression to dementia is typical. Neurology research has established strong links between MCI and dementia.  Dr. Ronald Petersen, a neurologist and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at May Clinic and the May Clinic Study of Aging, has referred to MCI as the transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. Studies suggest that around 10 to 15 percent of individuals with MCI go on to develop dementia each year.

Two Different Types of MCI

MCI is a general term that is broken into two different types, in practice. One type is known as Amnestic MCI, which is the most common and linked mostly to memory problems. The othr type is non-Amnestic MCI, which typically presents as problems in several areas of cognition such as language, executive functioning and visual-spatial skills according to the description of Peterson and Eric G. Tangalos, MD. Neuropsychologists evaluate a patient’s symptoms and administer tests to diagnose MCI.

Things You Can Do To Help

According to the National Institute of Aging and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine cognitive training interventions were named among three supports that may prevent or slow the development of cognitive decline and dementia. The goal of cognitive training is to create new brain connections and help people learn strategies of how do perform tasks more efficiently   While research is mixed, a growing body of studies show cognitive training that focuses on problem solving; memory; and processing which can be computer and non-computer based has found to be helpful in offsetting cognitive decline.  The other two supports are exercise and lowering blood pressure.

There is no simple answer to what the future holds when you have a diagnosis of MCI. Research continue to study therapies and potential medications that may help improve cognition as the jury is still out in terms of long-term effects of treatment.   Early diagnosis and treatment is key to determining next steps that may help. It is important to work with your doctor to determine the options for you.