Somewhere in between the normal cognitive decline or normal aging and the state of dementia lies mild cognitive impairment. The brain changes as we age. If you have mild cognitive impairment, your memory problems aren't severe enough to interfere with your daily activities. However, it's still important to discuss any changes with your physician.
“It can be important to establish a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or amnesic mild cognitive impairment because it certainly helps a person to plan and consider the possible outcome of that condition,” says Dr. Cirelle K. Rosenblatt, a neuropsychologist, clinical psychologist, and HealthChoicesFirst.com partner. “It's also important because in the event that a person is able to get a neuropsychological assessment, which defines the extent of the kind of impairment.”
If you do have mild cognitive impairment, your physician will continue to track your condition over time.
“Tracking a person over time can give physicians information regarding the rate of that progression or the relative stability of their condition,” says Rosenblatt.
Mild Cognitive Impairment Symptoms and Treatments
People who have mild cognitive impairment have an increased risk of developing dementia later in life, including Alzheimer's disease. However, some people with mild cognitive impairment don't get worse, and a few may even get better.
If you have symptoms of mild cognitive impairment such as forgetting appointments, you become overwhelmed by making decisions or understanding instructions, you become impulsive, or your friends and family become concerned with your behaviour.
“A person interested in gaining a better understanding of possible mild kind of impairment should speak with their physician, who can refer them to a neuropsychologist who could possibly perform such an assessment and help them with tracking their condition over time,” says Rosenblatt.
If you have questions about dementia or mild cognitive impairment, see your physician or psychologist.