Mild Cognitive Impairment
What are the Symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment?
- Memory problems that can be measured by tests.
- No difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, toileting, etc.
- Normal cognitive functioning, with the exception of memory.
- No other symptoms of Dementia, such as impaired judgment or reasoning.
There is extensive scientific debate about Mild Cognitive Impairment. This debate is grounded to large degree in an unanswered question that scientists have not yet agreed on: “How much memory impairment or memory loss is too much to be considered normal?”
What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition in which a person has memory problems greater than those expected for his or her age. People with MCI do not have the personality changes or cognitive problems that characterize Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
MCI has several types. The type most associated with memory loss is called amnestic MCI. People with this condition have more memory problems than normal for their age, but their symptoms are not as severe as those of people with AD.
More people with MCI go on to develop AD than people without MCI. Researchers are not yet sure why some people with MCI do not progress to AD, nor can they say who will or will not develop AD.
The National Institute of Aging is the originator of the foregoing definition, sourced on the NIA Web Site: www.nia.nih.gov
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Topic Sheet
Provided courtesy of The Alzheimer’s Association
Your Health Care Practitioner Can Give You the Best Advise!
(MCI) is a general term most commonly defined as a subtle but measurable memory disorder. A person with MCI experiences memory problems greater than normally expected with aging, but does not show other symptoms of dementia, such as impaired judgment or reasoning. Compared with the large body of information about Alzheimera’s disease, research about MCI is at a relatively early stage. Because scientists are still answering basic questions about this disorder, it is important to note that the definition of MCI is itself a “work in progress.”
Defining MCI
In 2001, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) published practice guidelines for the early detection of memory problems. The AAN workgroup of specialists identified the following criteria for an MCI diagnosis:
- an individual’s report of his or her own memory problems, preferably confirmed by another person
- measurable, greater-than-normal memory impairment detected with standard memory assessment tests
- normal general thinking and reasoning skills
- ability to perform normal daily activities
These criteria do not settle all debate about MCI. Key questions that researchers continue to investigate include the following:
- How much memory impairment is too much to be considered more than normal?
- How much memory impairment is significant enough to be considered a symptom of mild dementia?
- How hard should one look for subtle abnormalities in other areas of thinking?
- How do we know if these other changes are normal aging or worse?
Because researchers are still investigating these questions, other details about MCI remain unclear. For example, some research suggests that essentially all cases of MCI progress to Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. This would mean that MCI is simply a very early sign of dementia. Other studies suggest that some people with MCI may not develop dementia, but that many are at a very high risk of developing the disorder. Still other studies indicate that a significant number of people diagnosed with MCI may ‘œrevert’ to normal.
Read the remainder of the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Topic Sheet.
last section about driving and memory problems
Can an Individual with Mild Cognitive Impairment Drive a Car?
One of the most frequent questions of people with memory problems is “How Long Can I drive My Car?” The ability to drive is closely connected to retaining independence. This is a question that requires input from a doctor- but most doctors are hesitant to make the decision. Discuss your concerns about driving in the Friends Forum, and click on the picture below to access the PositScience® program designed to lengthen ability to drive and sustain independence.
