What kinds of memory complaint are normal? And what kinds are more significant?
What is mild cognitive impairment?
What happens to people with mild cognitive impairment?
What are the treatments for mild cognitive impairment?
What kinds of memory complaint are normal? And what kinds are more significant?
Almost everybody complains about their memory at some time. For example, you have probably experienced difficulty remembering the name of a person or place even though you know everything else about that person or place. Usually, the name comes back to you spontaneously. Another common problem is beginning to do something or go somewhere and then forgetting what you wanted to do or where you wanted to go. Many times the latter complaint is due to impaired concentration. This problem can be caused by anxiety, poor mood (especially depression), stress, or having too much on your mind.
Other types of memory symptoms may be more significant. Examples include having to repeat things to someone over and over again because they do not remember what you told them, or a person saying the same thing over and over again because they do not remember having just said it. Needing to write things down so you do not forget may or may not be significant, but forgetting events that have already taken place is likely to be more serious.
What is ‘mild cognitive impairment’?
Objective testing can usually tell whether or not memory complaints are significant. Much of the time, no brain condition is found. But other times the testing shows a real loss of memory even though the person is still functioning normally. This condition, halfway between normal and dementia, is called mild cognitive impairment or MCI.
What happens to people with mild cognitive impairment?
Many patients with MCI stay the same for many years. Some even improve and go back to being “normal.” But a certain proportion may be at risk for developing Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
At Barrow, we are researching how to identify patients with MCI who are likely to progress to Alzheimer’s. Our goal is to prevent the progression from happening.
What are the treatments for mild cognitive impairment?
Patients with MCI should try to stay as healthy as possible. Being physically and mentally active may help keep the condition from getting worse.
There is some evidence that donepezil (Aricept®) may reduce the risk of progressing to dementia for about a year. Other experimental medications for MCI are under investigation.
