What is mild cognitive impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is when an older adult has more memory or thinking problems than others their age but can still take care of themselves and do normal daily activities. The National Institute on Aging says there is no single cause; risk rises with age, and conditions such as diabetes, depression and stroke may increase it. Some causes of memory problems are treatable, so a checkup matters.

No. The National Institute on Aging says MCI symptoms are not as severe as those of Alzheimer's or dementia: people with MCI do not have the personality changes typical of Alzheimer's and can still manage their own care and daily activities. In dementia, the decline is serious enough to interfere with daily life. MCI can, however, be an early stage of Alzheimer's or another dementia.

No. The National Institute on Aging estimates that 10 to 20% of people 65 or older with MCI develop dementia over a one-year period, but not everyone with MCI does, and in many cases symptoms stay the same or even improve. Because MCI may be an early sign of more serious memory problems, NIA advises seeing a doctor every six to 12 months to track changes.

Sometimes. The Alzheimer's Association says that in some people MCI reverts to normal thinking or stays stable, and that in other cases, such as when a medication is causing the problem, MCI was mistakenly diagnosed. There is no approved medication specifically for MCI. That is why people with new memory or thinking changes are urged to seek help promptly, since some causes can be treated.

MCI is a clinical diagnosis based on a doctor's judgment, as no single test confirms it. The Alzheimer's Association lists a medical history, an assessment of daily function, input from a family member or friend, brief memory and thinking tests, a neurological exam, and a mood check for depression. If the picture is still unclear, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. Some people also have amyloid testing.