Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): n. a mental health condition characterized by a moderate but noticeable decline in cognitive ability
A person with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experiences mild but noticeable declines in memory and thinking ability. Unlike people with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, people with MCI are able to carry out daily activities as normal, or with only mild difficulty. Hence, although they tend to be forgetful, repeatedly ask questions and have difficulty following multiple steps, they lack the severe inability to function normally that is characteristic of dementia.
MCI has been linked to risk factors such as increasing age, a family history of dementia or Alzheimer's and factors related to cardiovascular disease. Some people with MCI may eventually develop dementia; others do not get worse while some even return to normal. Like many other mental health disorders, MCI can't be diagnosed with any physical test, at least at the moment. Similarly, research has been inconclusive on how MCI should be treated, although some studies have suggested that exercising and participating in mentally stimulating activities help slow cognitive decline.
Further Reading:http://www.gerontology.vt.edu/docs/Gerontology_MCI_final.pdf
References:
Photo Credits:
http://www.geronguide.com/gallery/var/albums/Alzheimers-and-Dementia/alzheimers-disease-04.jpg?m=1291735661
MCI has been linked to risk factors such as increasing age, a family history of dementia or Alzheimer's and factors related to cardiovascular disease. Some people with MCI may eventually develop dementia; others do not get worse while some even return to normal. Like many other mental health disorders, MCI can't be diagnosed with any physical test, at least at the moment. Similarly, research has been inconclusive on how MCI should be treated, although some studies have suggested that exercising and participating in mentally stimulating activities help slow cognitive decline.
Further Reading:http://www.gerontology.vt.edu/docs/Gerontology_MCI_final.pdf
References:
- Alzheimer's Association. (2013). Mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimer's Association. Retrieved July 8, 2013 from http://www.alz.org/dementia/mild-cognitive-impairment-mci.asp
- Center for Gerontology. (2006, October). Mild cognitive impairment: What do we do now? Virginia Tech University. Retrieved July 8, 2013 from http://www.gerontology.vt.edu/docs/Gerontology_MCI_final.pdf.
- Mild cognitive impairment. (2013, January 21). UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Retrieved July 8, 2013 from http://memory.ucsf.edu/education/diseases/mci
Photo Credits:
http://www.geronguide.com/gallery/var/albums/Alzheimers-and-Dementia/alzheimers-disease-04.jpg?m=1291735661