Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a decline in cognitive function that may include compromised memory , language, or critical thinking. It is considered more serious than expected age-related decline but less serious and concerning than dementia . Some cases of MCI proceed to dementia and some do not, making such impairment especially alarming for some who experience it. A person with symptoms of impairment might begin losing items, for example, or forget scheduled appointments. While these cha
What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Neurologists divide MCI into two broad categories: amnestic impairment, in which memory loss is the predominant symptom, and non-amnestic impairment, in which other cognitive areas, such as decision-making or spatial orientation, are primarily affected.
As we age, we expect some decline in cognitive abilities. However, mild impairment is that middle ground between a normal age-related cognitive loss and more serious diminishment of function. MCI can impact a person’s judgment, speech, and reasoning.
A minor decline in cognitive function can appear as early as the late twenties , but such decline is less pronounced until middle age, and it becomes more and more apparent among septuagenarians and people who are older.
Dementia is not the same as mild cognitive impairment. Dementia can impact a person’s daily living and activities. People with dementia, for example, forget whether they took their medication or have difficulty managing their finances.
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