Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. refers to small deteriorations in cognition (mental abilities) that, while noticeable, do not interfere too greatly with your everyday life. The changes are greater than would be expected with normal ageing.
The symptoms of MCI include:
Your family, friends and colleagues may notice these changes and comment that you seem different from how you usually are.
Not everyone experiences all of the symptoms of MCI, and you may feel the effects more on some days than on others, for example if you are tired or stressed.
The changes associated with MCI can have many different causes, and there may be more than one. These include:
MCI and dementia are not the same. Unlike MCI, which may be temporary and can often be improved with the right interventions, dementia is caused by permanent damage to the brain and will worsen over time. However, in some cases MCI can be an indicator of the early stages of dementia.
Being diagnosed with MCI does not mean you will definitely develop dementia, but it can increase the risk. It is not currently possible to predict who will develop dementia after a diagnosis of MCI.
If you have symptoms of MCI, make an appointment with your GP. If possible, take a family member or friend with you as they can discuss the changes they have noticed.
The GP should ask about your symptoms and how they are affecting you and carry out some simple checks, including:
If these checks identify an underlying cause of your symptoms, these can often be managed with medication, lifestyle changes or talking therapies.
However, if the GP cannot find any pre-existing conditions and feels that the symptoms you are experiencing are not simply normal age-related changes, they may refer you to a memory clinic for further assessments.
This may result in a diagnosis of MCI or – if the symptoms and changes are more severe – a diagnosis of dementia.
There is no specific treatment for MCI, but if there is an underlying health problem like an underactive thyroid, managing this well – including keeping up with regular testing and reviews and taking any medication as prescribed – may improve the symptoms.
Making some lifestyle changes could also prevent MCI worsening and improve your ability to cope with everyday life.
It is not always possible to stop MCI worsening, but there are steps you can take to help reduce the symptoms and their impact on your life.
Following a diagnosis of MCI, your GP should invite you for a review after 12 months – if you are not contacted, or if you notice a worsening in your symptoms before then, you can book an appointment yourself.
It is a good idea to keep a record of any changes and symptoms you are noticing, especially if you or your family and friends think they are worsening.
If you are eventually diagnosed with dementia, the memory clinic will make a plan for your ongoing care and support, such as:
To speak to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse about mild cognitive impairment or dementia, please call our free Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm) or email helpline@dementiauk.org or you can pre-book an appointment by phone or video call.
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Our free, confidential Dementia Helpline is staffed by our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses who provide information, advice and support with any aspect of dementia.
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