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ABC Medical Center > Mild cognitive impairment

What is Mild cognitive impairment?

17:04 - 1 December , 2023

Disease

When difficulties are experienced in the areas of reasoning, memory, or language, whether isolated or combined, we are faced with the presence of the so-called mild cognitive impairment, which represents the midpoint between the loss of cognitive capacity typical of old age and dementia.

Many times we are aware of the progressive decrease in our mental abilities, but sometimes it is others who notice it. Generally, it does not disrupt our daily lives or make our social interactions and activities too difficult.

Mild cognitive impairment does not have a defined prognosis, as it can decrease over time, remain unchanged, or become dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Although the direct cause of mild cognitive impairment is unknown, several potential risks for developing this condition have been identified, including:

  • Being elderly.
  • Carry the Alzheimer’s disease-related gene.
  • Diabetes.
  • Smoking.
  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Overweight and obesity.
  • Depression.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.

Signs and symptoms Mild cognitive impairment

  • Recurrent forgetfulness.
  • Not remembering important activities or social events.
  • Difficulty expressing ideas and thoughts.
  • Problems understanding narratives, stories, or plots in books or movies.
  • Increasing difficulties in decision-making.
  • Problems interacting socially.
  • Impulsiveness.
  • Lack of judgment.
  • Depression.
  • Aggressiveness.
  • Stress.
  • Apathy.

Diagnosis and treatment Mild cognitive impairment

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and medical history, they will perform a physical and neurological examination, as well as blood tests, MRI, and CT scan, to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis.

Up to date, there are no specific drugs to treat mild cognitive impairment, but the same drugs indicated for Alzheimer’s disease are generally used.

Other conditions can increase mild cognitive impairment symptoms, which must be treated simultaneously, including:

  • High blood pressure.
  • Depression.
  • Sleep disorders, such as apnea.

At the Neurology Center, a group of highly trained and certified doctors in various neurological specialties are prepared to serve you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Related centers and departments

Neurology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • neurology.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayocilinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • cun.es
  • elsevier.es
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Fonte ST, Santos HDJ. Deterioro cognitivo leve en personas mayores de 85 años. Rev Cubana Med. 2020;59(1):1-13.
  • Choreño-Parra JA, De la Rosa-Arredondo T, Guadarrama-Ortíz P. Abordaje diagnóstico del paciente con deterioro cognitivo en el primer nivel de atención. Med Int Mex. 2020;36(6):807-824.
  • Ocaña MCM, Montoya PA, Bolaño DGA. Perfil clínico neuropsicológico del deterioro cognitivo subtipo posible Alzheimer. MediSan. 2019;23(05):875-891.
  • Ramos DAC, Vilchis CE, Espinoza AG, et al. Clasificación del deterioro cognitivo en adultos mayores con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Aten Fam. 2020;27(2):61-65.

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					The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.