That's a really tough moment — and it makes sense to feel frustrated when a door closes on a treatment option you were hoping for. A score of 17/30 on a cognitive assessment (like the MoCA or MMSE) does indicate a transition from MCI into mild dementia, which can shift eligibility for certain therapies.
It's worth knowing Show Full Answer
That's a really tough moment — and it makes sense to feel frustrated when a door closes on a treatment option you were hoping for. A score of 17/30 on a cognitive assessment (like the MoCA or MMSE) does indicate a transition from MCI into mild dementia, which can shift eligibility for certain therapies.
It's worth knowing that infusion therapies (like lecanemab or donanemab) are currently approved specifically for early Alzheimer's — meaning MCI or mild dementia stages. So it may be worth double-checking the exact eligibility criteria with his neurologist, as "mild dementia" can sometimes still qualify depending on the specific therapy and other biomarker results. Here are some steps that may help moving forward:
- Request a second opinion from another neurologist or memory specialist
- Ask about clinical trials — many accept mild dementia patients
- Explore FDA-approved medications like donepezil or memantine to help manage symptoms
- Focus on lifestyle strategies such as exercise, diet, and cognitive engagement, which can support brain health at any stage
The conversation with his care team isn't over — there are still meaningful options to explore together.
2 days ago
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