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Mild Cognitive Impairment: It’s Not ‘Normal’ Aging

We’ve all walked into a room, only to have forgotten exactly why we are there. Or maybe our ability to recall names of long-lost friends or classmates isn’t quite what it used to be. These are normal signs of aging. But, if such events begin to happen more frequently or escalate, then it could be something called mild cognitive impairment, often called MCI. Mild cognitive impairment is an early stage of memory—or cognitive ability—loss in people who can still independently perform most daily activities.

If mild cognitive impairment is not a familiar term to you, you aren’t alone. A recent survey from the Alzheimer’s Association found that 82% of Americans are unaware of the condition…

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Articles of Interest

Aging Men May Lose Thinking Ability Faster Than Women

Considered the step between the expected forgetfulness that comes with aging and more severe disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s, MCI is characterized by difficulty with moderate mental tasks like problem solving and multi-tasking. Patients with the condition do not usually need special care in their day-to-day lives, but may find the minor mental deficiencies distracting.

Appropriate Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment: Just What Is “Normal”?

This study reaffirmed that MCI is a heterogeneous syndrome and defines subtypes of MCI according to a common etiology. The authors found that cardiovascular disease (CVD) played an important role in psychopathology contributing to prominent functional deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Coping With Mild Cognitive Impairment

About 10 to 15 percent of adults age 65 and older are believed to have mild cognitive impairment — a condition commonly characterized by memory problems, well beyond those associated with normal aging.

Mushrooms could prevent Mild Cognitive Impairment

Scientists from the National University of Singapore may have found in mushrooms the key to preventing cognitive deterioration, a clinical finding that, in some cases, can lead to other disorders such as senile dementia or even Alzheimer’s. Diet is considered a contributing factor in the prevention of mild cognitive impairment. Mushrooms, as a functional food, can therefore contribute to this aspect of health management. There is mounting literature that indicates that mushrooms, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents such as ergothioneine, are a valuable resource in the fight against the loss of intellectual capabilities.

One big reason why Alzheimer’s might be going undetected in the US

It can be hard to tell if subtle changes to memory and thinking are precursors to something more serious.

The Diagnosis and Management of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Clinical Review

The prevalence of MCI in adults aged ≥65 years is 10- 20%; risk increases with age, and men appear to be at higher risk than women. In older MCI patients, clinicians should consider depression, polypharmacy, and uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors, all of which may increase risk for cognitive impairment and other negative outcomes.

The Implications of Missing Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is the stage between normal cognitive function and more severe decline. It can express itself in a variety of ways, sometimes causing a general feeling that something has “slipped”, while other times there might not be any obvious indications. This can be problematic because though the level of impairment may be mild in nature, it can impact cognitive function and affect daily life.

The Scary Connection Between Snoring and Dementia

Snoring is a form of sleep apnea, in which people stop breathing for a few seconds or several minutes dozens of times in an hour. Any disruption of breathing during sleep can affect the brain, say researchers of a new study published in the journal Neurology. They found that people with sleep apnea tended to develop memory problems and other signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) earlier than people without such sleep disorders.

This form of memory loss is common — but most Americans don't know about it

About 1 in 7 people age 60 or older have a brain condition that may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. The condition, called mild cognitive impairment, occupies a gray zone between normal aging of the brain and dementia. And most people know almost nothing about it.

Tips for someone diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment

There is a lot you can do to help reduce your chances of MCI progressing to dementia. There are also many ways to deal with memory problems that will allow you to live well with MCI.

Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more-serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking, and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes. If you have mild cognitive impairment, you may be aware that your memory or mental function has "slipped." Your family and close friends also may notice a change. But generally these changes aren't severe enough to significantly interfere with your day-to-day life and usual activities.

What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Some older adults have more memory or thinking problems than other adults their age. This condition is called mild cognitive impairment. There is no single cause of MCI. The risk of developing MCI increases as someone gets older. Conditions such as diabetes, depression, and stroke may increase a person’s risk for MCI.

When Lapses Are Not Just Signs of Aging

Who hasn’t struggled occasionally to come up with a desired word or the name of someone near and dear? I was still in my 40s when one day the first name of my stepmother of 30-odd years suddenly escaped me. I had to introduce her to a friend as “Mrs. Brody.” But for millions of Americans with a neurological condition called mild cognitive impairment, lapses in word-finding and name recall are often common, along with other challenges like remembering appointments, difficulty paying bills or losing one’s train of thought in the middle of a conversation. Though not as severe as full-blown Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, mild cognitive impairment is often a portent of these mind-robbing disorders.

Why its important for more Americans to know about mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment, a condition that may be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, affects more than 12% of people 60 and up. Yet a survey found 82% of Americans know little or nothing about it.

​How your senses change as you age—and how to keep them sharp

​​The brain can decline as people grow older. But there are steps you can take to support your most important organ.

Resources

UCI Mind

An established risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, MCI is a condition in which memory and/or other cognitive difficulties (e.g., language, visual-spatial skills) are noticeable to the person affected and/or others (e.g., family, friends, work colleagues), but are not severe enough to interfere with basic living skills. An individual with MCI will score significantly lower than others of the same age on neuropsychological measures of the affected cognitive domains (e.g., memory, language). Some studies suggest that up to 10-20% of older adults age 65 and older have MCI.