What is Mild Cognitive Impairment and How Will it Affect Me?

Mild cognitive impairment is an immediate stage somewhere between normal aging and possible further dementia such as Alzheimer's. Some people who experience the symptoms of cognitive impairment get better, some remain stable and some eventually declined further and begin experiencing Alzheimer's symptoms, but researcher don’t understand why this disorder is so sporadic.

Mild cognitive impairment is usually something you're aware of but it doesn't interfere with your daily living activities the way dementia does. For example, you may be more forgetful and not remember important events and even lose your train of thought in a conversation but not to the extreme that patients with dementia do.

It can be hard to know where the line is between cognitive impairment, normal aging and dementia. At this stage you are likely experiencing normal aging “senior moments" that are becoming more frequent and noticeable. You may get more frustrated and overwhelmed by trying to complete projects that require steps such as putting together furniture. You may get lost in familiar surroundings but unlike Alzheimer's you still have a grasp on where you are and have a better chance of being able to help yourself. Other symptoms of cognitive impairment include poor judgment and becoming more impulsive. These symptoms are also present with Alzheimer's but to a more severe degree.

Cognitive impairment is usually seen in conjunction with other disorders such as depression, anxiety and apathy. And it's usually something that shows up in older people who have some of the risk factors associated with cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that people who have diabetes, smoke, have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and don't exercise are more inclined to experience mild cognitive impairment than other people.

Researchers have also been able to identify specific gene called APOE-e4 that people with this impairment usually have but not everyone with this gene has the disorder. MRI’s show that people who have mild cognitive impairment have evidence of this in the appearance of their brains, including abnormal clumps of beta-amyloid protein in the brain, enlargement of the brain’s ventricles which are the fluid filled space in the brain, and a reduced use of glucose in key brain regions. Further studies have also demonstrated that patients with this disorder show evidence of shrinkage in the hippocampus area of the brain which is partially responsible for memory.

Scientist still don't know why some people recover from mild cognitive impairment while other people remain stable for years or develop dementia or Alzheimer's disorder a short time later. This is still an area researchers are working hard to find the answers to.

If you suspect you have cognitive impairment talk to your doctor to rule out other causes that could mimic this disorder. It's important that you be aware of your symptoms and monitor them. If you feel yourself getting worse make sure your doctor is aware of it so you can catch and treat dementia as early as possible.