Mild cognitive impairment

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Definition

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transition stage between the cognitive changes of normal aging and the more serious problems caused by Alzheimer's disease. While mild cognitive impairment can affect many areas of cognition — such as language, attention, reasoning, judgment, reading and writing — most research has focused on its effects on memory.

The disorder can be divided into two broad subtypes. Amnestic MCI significantly affects memory, while nonamnestic MCI does not. Other functions, such as language and attention span, may be impaired in either subtype.

Amnestic MCI has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, while nonamnestic MCI may progress to other types of syndromes — such as frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia or dementia with Lewy bodies. But some people with MCI don't go on to develop any type of dementia. Some remain stable, while others even revert to normal.

Preliminary reports from a recent Mayo Clinic study suggest that about 12 percent of those over the age of 70 have mild cognitive impairment. People with MCI are three to four times more likely to develop Alzheimer's than those without such impairment.

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Symptoms

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