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It’s common to become more forgetful with age. But sometimes, forgetfulness can be a sign of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a stage of memory loss that falls between normal aging and more serious decline, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with MCI, it’s natural to wonder how fast it may progress.
“Mild cognitive impairment is kind of a general diagnosis that reflects a change in someone’s thinking abilities,” explained Dr. Jennifer Davis, director of neuropsychology at Brown University in Rhode Island. Dr. Davis specializes in Alzheimer’s disease and related health conditions.
Research suggests that more than 15 percent of people over 50 have MCI. Here’s what to know about MCI and how it may progress.
There are two types of MCI: amnestic MCI and nonamnestic MCI. MCI can also be linked to medical conditions, environmental factors, lifestyle factors, or head injury that are not related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Amnestic MCI primarily affects the ability to remember important information a person would normally recall — such as appointments, conversations, or recent events.
Nonamnestic MCI affects thinking and problem-solving skills. This can include trouble with visual perception, difficulty making sound judgments, or forgetting the steps needed to complete a task.
There is no single cause of MCI. “There are many reasons someone could have mild cognitive impairment,” Dr. Davis said. “It could be due to early Alzheimer’s disease, but it could also be due to a host of other things.”
Other possible causes include other forms of dementia, untreated depression, thyroid disorders, or concussion, Dr. Davis explained. Certain medications can also cause cognitive side effects.
Research suggests MCI can be linked to the same types of brain changes seen in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This is why MCI is often viewed as an intermediate stage between normal cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s.
Although researchers still don’t know how to prevent Alzheimer’s, they’ve made progress toward understanding the underlying changes in the brain. Many of the brain changes seen in Alzheimer’s also appear — to a lesser degree — in people with MCI.
These brain changes may include:
Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between normal signs of aging and symptoms of MCI. In normal aging, it’s fairly common to forget someone’s name or misplace keys. However, when normal, age-related memory impairment turns into frequently forgetting important information or getting lost in familiar places, MCI may be developing.
MCI can impact daily living more than normal aging. Symptoms of MCI may involve memory and other types of cognitive abilities, such as:
MCI can also affect mood and behavior. These symptoms may include:
If family members or close friends begin to notice memory lapses or other types of cognitive decline, it’s possible that MCI may be developing.
There isn’t a single test that can diagnose MCI. A doctor may use cognitive assessments to measure thinking, memory, and language skills. They may also suggest seeing a neurology specialist for more testing, such as brain imaging.
Early diagnosis of MCI is important because MCI can sometimes serve as an early warning sign for Alzheimer’s or other degenerative cognitive diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies.
If you or a loved one are experiencing new or worsening problems with thinking and memory, talk to your healthcare team.
You may wonder: Does mild cognitive impairment always lead to dementia?
The short answer is — not always. The progression of MCI varies from person to person and depends on several factors. In general, about 15 percent of people over 65 years old with MCI develop full-scale dementia. For cases of MCI that are related to Alzheimer’s, it can take 2 to 5 years before an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. However, some people don’t develop more serious memory disorders for many years.
People with MCI who also experience psychiatric symptoms such as agitation or aggressive behavior have a higher risk of dementia.
If you’re diagnosed with MCI, your doctor will first focus on identifying and treating any underlying causes that can be addressed. In cases of MCI that are linked to a treatable condition like a sleep disorder, MCI may be reversible. Treating these health issues may restore cognitive function and prevent further decline.
Your doctor may also review your current medications, since certain prescription or over-the-counter drugs can cause cognitive side effects. Adjusting or stopping these medications may help.
In select cases, a doctor might consider prescribing a medication used for Alzheimer’s disease, but these drugs are not always recommended for MCI. They can cause side effects, and current evidence doesn’t show clear benefits for slowing progression.
“Right now, the standard of care is actually not to treat with our available medications, because it doesn’t necessarily slow progression or conversion from MCI to mild dementia,” explained Dr. Davis.
Dr. Davis emphasized that lifestyle behaviors like a healthy diet and exercise can help slow down memory decline. She also explained that activities like socializing with others can strongly benefit cognitive function and brain health. Staying engaged with activities like puzzles, reading, and other hobbies can also improve memory health.
Although scientists continue to study the causes and treatments for MCI, ongoing research offers hope.
On myALZteam, people share their experiences with Alzheimer’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment? Let others know in the comments below.
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