Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the intermediate stage between cognitive impairment associated with normal aging and dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Problems with memory, thinking, language, and judgment that occur in MCI are greater than those experienced in normal aging.
In MCI, family and friends may notice cognitive changes and you, as well, may recognize that your memory is fading. These changes aren’t serious enough to interfere with your day-to-day living, but these are noticeable slip-ups.
Having mild cognitive impairment increases a person’s risk of dementia or other neurological diseases. On the other hand, some patients do not progress in their condition and some can actually improve it.
Mild cognitive impairment diagnosis
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There isn’t one specific test to diagnose MCI, so a slew of diagnostic tests is usually used. Doctors will diagnose MCI if a patient complains about memory problems or other mental functions, memory declines over time, overall mental functions and abilities are not affected, mental testing reveals a mild level of impairment based on age and education level, and if the diagnosis does not reveal dementia.
Aside from a physical examination, patients will have to undergo neurological testing. These tests help evaluate the state of one’s nervous system. Aside from MCI, these tests can also evaluate the impact of Parkinson’s disease, stroke, tumors, or other medical conditions.
The neurological test will look at reflexes, eye movements, and walking and balance abilities.
Lab tests will also be conducted to rule out other conditions that can affect memory such as vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Lastly, your doctor may run brain imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs along with mental status testing. Mental status tests can be done within 10 minutes where the doctor asks the patient several questions and makes them perform certain tasks.
Mild cognitive impairment treatment
There is no cure for mild cognitive impairment, but treatment options may help slow down the MCI progression and help improve the symptoms.
Treatment options for MCI include Alzheimer’s disease drugs (except for the drug cholinesterase), treatment of contributing conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, depression, and sleep apnea, and natural supplements that may help slow down progression of MCI – but these have yet to be proven in clinical settings.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
