Mild cognitive impairment

Not to be confused with minimal brain dysfunction.
Mild cognitive impairment
Other namesIncipient dementia, isolated memory impairment
SpecialtyNeurology
SymptomsCan include memory impairments (amnestic) or cognitive problems like impaired decision making, language, or visuospatial skills (non-amnestic)
Usual onsetTypically appears in adults 65 or older
TypesAmnestic, non-amnestic
Risk factorsAge, family history, cardiovascular disease
Diagnostic methodBased on symptoms assessed by a clinical neuropsychologist through observations, neuroimaging, and blood tests

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a neurocognitive disorder which involves cognitive impairments beyond those expected based on an individual's age and education but which are not significant enough to interfere with instrumental activities of daily living.[1] MCI may occur as a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease.[2] It includes both memory and non-memory impairments.[3] The cause of the disorder remains unclear, as well as both its prevention and treatment, with some 50 percent of people diagnosed with it going on to develop Alzheimer's disease within five years. The diagnosis can also serve as an early indicator for other types of dementia, although MCI may remain stable or even remit.[4]

Mild cognitive impairment has been relisted as mild neurocognitive disorder in DSM-5, and in ICD-11,[5] the latter effective on 1 January 2022.[6]

  1. ^ Petersen RC, Smith GE, Waring SC, Ivnik RJ, Tangalos EG, Kokmen E (1999). "Mild cognitive impairment: clinical characterization and outcome". Arch. Neurol. 56 (3): 303–8. doi:10.1001/archneur.56.3.303. PMID 10190820. S2CID 3717948.
  2. ^ Petersen RC, Bennett D (June 2005). "Mild cognitive impairment: is it Alzheimer's disease or not?". J. Alzheimers Dis. 7 (3): 241–5. doi:10.3233/jad-2005-7307. PMID 16006668.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Yu2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2017Guideline was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "ICD-11 - Mortality and Morbidity Statistics". icd.who.int.
  6. ^ "Event Information - Overview". www.rcpsych.ac.uk Royal College of Psychiatrists. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.