Mild Cognitive Impairment

A condition that causes a slight decline in thinking and memory is called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Usually, it is considered the stage that occurs between typical thinking and dementia. Sometimes, people with MCI develop dementia. However, in most cases, MCI does not affect your independence or daily routine. Doctors may recommend some treatments to manage the symptoms of this disorder.

In other words, MCI is a noticeable decline in memory and thinking that often affects your judgment (such as spotting a scam phone call), or it may negatively affect your ability to make plans (such as remembering appointments).

Furthermore, this condition is not always permanent, which means the symptoms can improve in some people. However, those who develop MCI are at increased risk of developing dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders that negatively affect brain functioning.

Types of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Healthcare professionals have divided this disorder into 2 types, based on which part of the brain is affected. For example:

Amnestic MCI (aMCI) – This type of MCI affects the memory, and you may forget important information that you used to remember.
Non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) – In such cases, people often experience problems with thinking. As a result, it may lead to problems with judgment, making decisions, or completing complex tasks.

Symptoms

While the primary symptom of MCI is a decline in the following skills, it may also cause other symptoms. These include attention, judgment, language, memory, planning, and reasoning. Check for other symptoms of MCI below:

Losing focus or becoming easily distracted
Misplacing items more frequently than usual
Falling behind on a bill payment
Missing important dates or events
Difficulty finding words

In rare cases, people with MCI may also experience problems with movement, taste, or smell. In any case, if any of the previous symptoms affect you or a loved one, immediately contact your healthcare professional. Early detection and proper treatment may help prevent serious complications (such as dementia).

Causes and Risk Factors

This disorder often happens when brain parts responsible for memory and thinking are damaged or develop structural changes. For example, the hippocampus, temporal lobes, parietal lobes, and connected areas. Sometimes, MCI can be a stage of any of the following neurodegenerative disorders. Check some of them below:

Frontotemporal dementia
Lewy body dementia
Vascular dementia
Parkinson’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease

All of the previous conditions negatively affect the brain function and often worsen over time.

While anyone may develop MCI, physicians have found some factors that could increase one’s risk of developing it. Check some examples below:

Family history – If you have a sibling or parent with dementia, your risk of developing MCI significantly increases.
Age – People over 65 years old are more prone to MCI.
Genetic factors – if you have a mutation (change) in the APOE4 gene, it may also increase your risk of developing MCI. Furthermore, an abnormal APOE4 gene is often present in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain injuries or disorders – These include traumatic brain injury, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and others.
Chronic health conditions – For example, osteoarthritis, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and others.
Heart and blood vessel problems – The following problems may also increase your risk of developing MCI. Examples include high cholesterol (also known as hyperlipidemia), stroke, hypertension (high blood pressure), and others.
Infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or HIV infection
Mental disorders (such as depression, anxiety, and others)
Metabolic and nutritional issues – For example, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland), deficiency of vitamin B12, dehydration, and others.
Sleep disorders (including obstructive sleep apnea)

Rarely, MIC can be an adverse reaction to one of the following medicines. Examples include:

Antihypertensives (medicines used to treat high blood pressure)
Antidepressants
Benzodiazepines
Opiates
Muscle relaxants
Antiseizure medicines
Antihistamines

Complications and Prevention

Those who develop MCI may also experience some complications, especially if the condition is left untreated. Check some complications below:

Progression to dementia – While most people with MCI remain stable or improve, about 10% to 15% of people may progress to dementia each year.
Mental disorders – This is another common complication in people who develop MCI. For example, depression, apathy, anxiety, irritability, and others.
Functional and safety problems – Some people may also experience impaired judgment, which often causes safety concerns or problems with performing daily tasks.
Physical and cognitive decline – These include problems with movement and sensory changes.
Social isolation – Problems with language, communication, and memory may lead to reduced social engagement.

The previous list does not contain a complete list of complications, but you can talk with your physician about ways to reduce the risk of developing them.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent MCI, but physicians may recommend the following tips to reduce the risk. Examples include:

Manage chronic health conditions (such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and others)
Manage stress
Get quality sleep
Stay socially connected
Dietary changes – Physicians often recommend eating balanced meals.
Physical activity – You should aim for 30 minutes of physical exercise, at least 5 days per week, to maintain or get a healthy weight.
Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages
Quit smoking – If you face problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your physician.
Challenge your brain with puzzles, reading, or learning new skills

Diagnosis

The diagnosis usually starts with a physical and neurological examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease. Doctors may also ask some questions about your symptoms and medical history to get more clues about your disease. However, to confirm or rule out MCI, they will perform the following tests and procedures. These include:

Blood and urine tests
Lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap)
Imaging tests – These tests are often done to get detailed images of different structures and organs in the body (including the brain and spinal cord). When doctors suspect MCI, they often perform CT (computed tomography) scans or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans.
Neuropsychological testing (such as cognitive tests)

Treatment

Physicians often recommend different treatments for people who develop MCI because they depend on several factors. These include the severity, type, and cause of MCI, other health problems, gender, age, and preferences. Check below some options often recommended by doctors to manage MCI:

Adjustments to the medicines you administer
Brain-stimulating activities (such as puzzles and socializing)
Prioritizing your safety
Manage risk factors (such as smoking, alcohol, and others)
Treat or manage existing health conditions (including mental disorders, sleep apnea, vitamin deficiency, and others)

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see my healthcare provider?

People with this condition should visit their doctors every 6 to 12 months. It is also important to inform your physician about new or worsening symptoms and if your treatment does not work.

How fast does mild cognitive impairment progress?

In general, the progression from MCI to dementia varies among people. While some people may develop dementia within 1 year, sometimes it may take several years. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.

What is the life expectancy of someone with mild cognitive impairment?

According to some studies, people with MCI have a reduced lifespan compared to people without this disorder. On average, MCI often reduces your life expectancy by about 5 years. However, your physician may give you more information based on your situation. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.