MCI
What is MCI
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It’s characterized by problems with memory, language, thinking or judgment.
If you have mild cognitive impairment, you may be aware that your memory or mental function has “slipped.” Your family and close friends also may notice a change.
Symptoms :
Cognitive issues may go beyond what’s expected and indicate possible MCI if you experience any or all of the following:
- You forget things more often.
- You forget important events such as appointments or social engagements.
- You lose your train of thought or the thread of conversations, books or movies.
- You feel increasingly overwhelmed by making decisions, planning steps to accomplish a task or understanding instructions.
- You start to have trouble finding your way around familiar environments.
- You become more impulsive or show increasingly poor judgment.
- Your family and friends notice any of these changes.
CAUSES
- Abnormal clumps of beta-amyloid protein (plaques) and microscopic protein clumps of tau characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (tangles)
- Lewy bodies, which are microscopic clumps of another protein associated with Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and some cases of Alzheimer’s disease
- Small strokes or reduced blood flow through brain blood vessels
RISK FACTORS
The strongest risk factors for MCI are:
- Increasing age
- Having a specific form of a gene known as APOE e4,
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cholesterol
- Obesity
- Depression
- Lack of physical exercise
- Low education level
- Infrequent participation in mentally or socially stimulating activities
IMAGING
Brain-imaging studies show that the following changes may be associated with MCI:
- Shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory
- Enlargement of the brain’s fluid-filled spaces (ventricles)
- Reduced use of glucose,
Prevention
Mild cognitive impairment can’t always be prevented. But research has found some environmental factors that may affect the risk of developing the condition. Studies show that these steps may help prevent cognitive impairment:
- Avoid excessive alcohol
- Limit exposure to air pollution.
- Reduce your risk of head injury.
- Don’t smoke.
- Manage health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and depression.
- Practice good sleep hygiene and manage sleep disturbances.
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet that has plenty of fruits and vegetables and is low in saturated fats.
- Engage socially with others.
- Exercise regularly at a moderate to vigorous intensity.
- Wear a hearing aid if you have hearing loss.
- Stimulate your mind with puzzles, games and memory training.
