The guide to
What is mild cognitive impairment?
What is MCI
Risk factors and diagnosis
Treatment Options
What is mild cognitive impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is when someone suffers from noticeable changes in cognitive abilities that are greater than expected with normal aging, but not severe enough to interfere with independent function.Contrary to popular belief, MCI is not a disease. It is a term used to describe a person's cognitive status based on cognitive tests, medical history, or other evaluation methods.
Return
Next
Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment
Language issues
Memory lapses
Sleep issues
Hormonal changes
Return
Next
Attention & focus
Judgement & decision-making
Depression
Return
Next
MCI vs Alzheimer's
MCI and early-stage Alzheimer's share similar symptoms such as brain fog and memory problems. MCI can be caused by a variety of health conditions, while Alzheimer's and dementia are almost always caused by a disease that affects the brain.
Similar symptoms
Different outlook
Return
Next
How is MCI diagnosed?
Neuropsychologist Emily Paolillo spoke to Being Patient about the link between MCI and dementia, and the process of seeking an MCI diagnosis. Watch the full video to learn more.
Expert Perspective
"So, typically, we have some criteria to determine what is mild versus what’s more severe. At the more severe stage, we would call that dementia. Both of those things characterize the severity of cognitive impairment, but MCI is really defined by a mild level of cognitive impairment where you can still function independently. This means that maybe the person is noticing cognitive changes..."
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Emily Paolillo, PhDAssistant Professor, UCSF Memory and Aging Center
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Risk factors for MCI
Risk increases with age, particularly for those over 65.
Cardiovascular health factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.
Family history and genetic predisposition such as the presence of the APOE4 gene.
READ More
Return
Next
How is MCI diagnosed?
Medical history
A detailed evaluation of both personal and family medical history.
Physical examination
To rule out other conditions that might cause cognitive impairment.
Cognitive testing
Neuropsychological tests to assess memory and other cognitive functions.
Brain scans
MRI or CT scans to probe for potential brain abnormalities.
Return
Next
Living with the uncertainty after an MCI diagnosis
Retired psychotherapist Leah Fisher shares how she learned to live with the uncertainty of mild cognitive impairment.
Patient Perspective
"...The best coping skill for this time, especially with MCI, is learning how to be calm in the face of uncertainty. There is so much [that's] not known with MCI. Is it going to stay stable, and is it not going to be a problem? Am I so old, that I’m going to die from something else, and [is it] not going to be a problem? Will it progress quite slowly?...Or is it going to slide fast into a diagnosis none of us would like to have?"
Leah FisherRetired Psychotherapist
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LEarn More
Return
Next
New beginnings after an MCI diagnosis
Dale Rivard's career as a prosecutor was cut short when he was thrown a curveball with his mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. He shares with Being Patient how it inadvertently led to the start of a fulfilling new chapter for him.
A New Calling
"You have to push yourself. By pushing yourself, you delay the inevitable because we all know where it’s going. I want to get as much out of life as I possibly can. I’m lucky enough to have a wonderful wife who supports me. I have children. I have been blessed by having this grounding force that surrounds me. That really helps me in everything that I do. So I still try to do as much as possible."
Dale RivardFormer Attorney and Public Prosecutor
LEarn More
LEarn More
Return
Next
Management methods
Depending on the cause of MCI, management strategies can help improve quality of life and slow its progression.
Because MCI is so varied, some patients may revert to normal cognition, while others may remain stable, and some may progress to dementia (including Alzheimer's disease). Regular monitoring and lifestyle adjustments can help manage symptoms and potentially slow progression.
Lifestyle Changes
Medication
Managing Health Conditions
Return
Next
Want to learn more?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Currently, no specific medications are approved for MCI, but medications for Alzheimer's disease may be used in some cases.
MCI harms executive function, affecting one's ability to evaluate options and make sound decisions. For example, one may struggle to pay bills on time or plan for a trip.
Healthy diet, regular physical exercise, cognitive training, and social engagement have been shown to delay the onset of cognitive decline and slow down its rate of progression.
Hormonal shifts occurring during menopause could lead to MCI. Hormone replacement therapy may be needed to reduce menopausal symptoms, including cognitive impairment.
Different Outlook
While MCI shares symptoms with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, its symptoms are less severe. Also, unlike Alzheimer's, one in four cases of MCI can be reversed.
Similar Symptoms
If you’re struggling with cognitive issues like brain fog or memory problems, it might be Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).MCI can affect memory (amnestic MCI) or other cognitive functions like speech, language, focus, and navigation.
As many as three in five people diagnosed with depression will experience some form of memory loss or cognitive impairment. Treating the underlying depression with a combination of medications and therapy can alleviate these symptoms.
People with MCI may have difficulty concentrating or staying focused on tasks for extended periods of time. They may struggle to read and comprehend lengthy articles or documents or pay attention during group meetings and lectures.
People with mild cognitive impairment may struggle to find the right words in social situations or day-to-day living.
A state of more frequent forgetfulness or misplacing items more frequently as opposed to their primary mental state. Individuals with MCI may also have trouble remembering recent conversations, events, or the placement of everyday objects.
Controlling diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions can limit their impact on cognitive symptoms in MCI.
People with obstructive sleep apnea can experience MCI, as sleep deprivation and disruptions prevent the brain from resting and recharging.
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Transcript
The guide to
What is mild cognitive impairment?
What is MCI
Risk factors and diagnosis
Treatment Options
What is mild cognitive impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is when someone suffers from noticeable changes in cognitive abilities that are greater than expected with normal aging, but not severe enough to interfere with independent function.Contrary to popular belief, MCI is not a disease. It is a term used to describe a person's cognitive status based on cognitive tests, medical history, or other evaluation methods.
Return
Next
Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment
Language issues
Memory lapses
Sleep issues
Hormonal changes
Return
Next
Attention & focus
Judgement & decision-making
Depression
Return
Next
MCI vs Alzheimer's
MCI and early-stage Alzheimer's share similar symptoms such as brain fog and memory problems. MCI can be caused by a variety of health conditions, while Alzheimer's and dementia are almost always caused by a disease that affects the brain.
Similar symptoms
Different outlook
Return
Next
How is MCI diagnosed?
Neuropsychologist Emily Paolillo spoke to Being Patient about the link between MCI and dementia, and the process of seeking an MCI diagnosis. Watch the full video to learn more.
Expert Perspective
"So, typically, we have some criteria to determine what is mild versus what’s more severe. At the more severe stage, we would call that dementia. Both of those things characterize the severity of cognitive impairment, but MCI is really defined by a mild level of cognitive impairment where you can still function independently. This means that maybe the person is noticing cognitive changes..."
LEarn More
LEarn More
LEarn More
Emily Paolillo, PhDAssistant Professor, UCSF Memory and Aging Center
LEarn More
Return
Next
Risk factors for MCI
Risk increases with age, particularly for those over 65.
Cardiovascular health factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.
Family history and genetic predisposition such as the presence of the APOE4 gene.
READ More
Return
Next
How is MCI diagnosed?
Medical history
A detailed evaluation of both personal and family medical history.
Physical examination
To rule out other conditions that might cause cognitive impairment.
Cognitive testing
Neuropsychological tests to assess memory and other cognitive functions.
Brain scans
MRI or CT scans to probe for potential brain abnormalities.
Return
Next
Living with the uncertainty after an MCI diagnosis
Retired psychotherapist Leah Fisher shares how she learned to live with the uncertainty of mild cognitive impairment.
Patient Perspective
"...The best coping skill for this time, especially with MCI, is learning how to be calm in the face of uncertainty. There is so much [that's] not known with MCI. Is it going to stay stable, and is it not going to be a problem? Am I so old, that I’m going to die from something else, and [is it] not going to be a problem? Will it progress quite slowly?...Or is it going to slide fast into a diagnosis none of us would like to have?"
Leah FisherRetired Psychotherapist
LEarn More
LEarn More
Return
Next
New beginnings after an MCI diagnosis
Dale Rivard's career as a prosecutor was cut short when he was thrown a curveball with his mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. He shares with Being Patient how it inadvertently led to the start of a fulfilling new chapter for him.
A New Calling
"You have to push yourself. By pushing yourself, you delay the inevitable because we all know where it’s going. I want to get as much out of life as I possibly can. I’m lucky enough to have a wonderful wife who supports me. I have children. I have been blessed by having this grounding force that surrounds me. That really helps me in everything that I do. So I still try to do as much as possible."
Dale RivardFormer Attorney and Public Prosecutor
LEarn More
LEarn More
Return
Next
Management methods
Depending on the cause of MCI, management strategies can help improve quality of life and slow its progression.
Because MCI is so varied, some patients may revert to normal cognition, while others may remain stable, and some may progress to dementia (including Alzheimer's disease). Regular monitoring and lifestyle adjustments can help manage symptoms and potentially slow progression.
Lifestyle Changes
Medication
Managing Health Conditions
Return
Next
Want to learn more?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Currently, no specific medications are approved for MCI, but medications for Alzheimer's disease may be used in some cases.
MCI harms executive function, affecting one's ability to evaluate options and make sound decisions. For example, one may struggle to pay bills on time or plan for a trip.
Healthy diet, regular physical exercise, cognitive training, and social engagement have been shown to delay the onset of cognitive decline and slow down its rate of progression.
Hormonal shifts occurring during menopause could lead to MCI. Hormone replacement therapy may be needed to reduce menopausal symptoms, including cognitive impairment.
Different Outlook
While MCI shares symptoms with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, its symptoms are less severe. Also, unlike Alzheimer's, one in four cases of MCI can be reversed.
Similar Symptoms
If you’re struggling with cognitive issues like brain fog or memory problems, it might be Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).MCI can affect memory (amnestic MCI) or other cognitive functions like speech, language, focus, and navigation.
As many as three in five people diagnosed with depression will experience some form of memory loss or cognitive impairment. Treating the underlying depression with a combination of medications and therapy can alleviate these symptoms.
People with MCI may have difficulty concentrating or staying focused on tasks for extended periods of time. They may struggle to read and comprehend lengthy articles or documents or pay attention during group meetings and lectures.
People with mild cognitive impairment may struggle to find the right words in social situations or day-to-day living.
A state of more frequent forgetfulness or misplacing items more frequently as opposed to their primary mental state. Individuals with MCI may also have trouble remembering recent conversations, events, or the placement of everyday objects.
Controlling diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions can limit their impact on cognitive symptoms in MCI.
People with obstructive sleep apnea can experience MCI, as sleep deprivation and disruptions prevent the brain from resting and recharging.