Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): Causes, treatment, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is mild cognitive impairment MCI Medically reviewed by Susan W. Lee, DO — By Jenna Fletcher and Mary West — Updated on September 27, 2022Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), sometimes known as cognitive decline, refers to a small reduction in memory and thinking skills that can occur in older age. This may cause a person to become more forgetful. However, the symptoms are not so severe that a person cannot live independently. MCI progresses at a faster rate after ages 55–60 years. Doctors base a diagnosis on a person’s medical history, input from family members, an assessment of mental function, a neurological exam, and lab tests. There is no standardized treatment for MCI. Preventive measures include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and staying socially active. This article discusses cognitive decline and the age it occurs. It also examines symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the condition. What is cognitive decline Share on Pinterestkate_sept2004/Getty ImagesCognitive decline, or MCI, is a slight decrease in memory or the ability to think. Despite the decrease in memory, people with MCI can still live independently and perform their usual daily activities. The symptoms of MCI are less severe than the symptoms of dementia. They are also less broad. For example, they do not cause personality or mood changes. Symptoms of MCI The effects of MCI on a person’s memory and thinking ability will likely be noticeable to the person and those close to them. However, the person does not lose the ability to complete most daily tasks and can continue to live on their own. The common signs or symptoms of MCI include:forgetting about appointments or social eventsmisplacing household items, such as car keys, clothing, or other objectshaving difficulty finding the right words compared with peers of the same ageexperiencing movement difficulties According to the Alzheimer’s Association, other symptoms can include:inability to form certain soundstrouble remembering events, instructions, or conversationsproblems completing tasksissues with visual perception However, it is worth noting that these symptoms can also stem from other conditions. Thus, a person should discuss their symptoms with a doctor. Causes and risk factors for MCI MCI does not have a single cause. Instead, a range of factors can contribute to its development. These include:older agesubstance misuselong-term alcohol use Health conditions that may increase the risk of MCI include:strokeschizophreniabrain tumorsdepressiondeliriumhormonal imbalancesvitamin deficiencies Medications that can raise the risk include:anticholinergics, such as the antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl)sedatives, such as amobarbital (Amytal)glucocorticoids, such as prednisone (Rayos)benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) Some conditions that may mimic or cause similar symptoms to MCI include:infectionvitamin or thyroid deficiencieschanges in eyesight or hearing MCI vs dementia MCI differs from dementia. Dementia is more severe and affects multiple brain functions in addition to memory. It can also change a person’s mood and personality, which MCI cannot. In contrast, MCI typically only affects memory and is mild in severity. Usually, having MCI does not mean a person cannot live independently. Does MCI lead to dementia According to the Alzheimer’s Association, although many people living with MCI may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, this is not always the case. The National Institute on Aging notes that approximately 10–20% of those aged 65 years or older with MCI go on to develop dementia over a period of 1 year. However, in many cases, the symptoms of MCI remain stable or lessen with time. Diagnosis There is no single test that can diagnose MCI, so a doctor will perform a variety of assessments to make a diagnosis. This may involve:Medical history: This includes telling a doctor about current symptoms, previous conditions, and any history of memory or cognitive problems in the family.Input from a family member or friend: This provides another perspective on how a person’s mental function has changed.Assessment of independent function: This notes any changes from an individual’s typical function.Assessment of mental function: This uses short tests to evaluate memory and thinking skills.Assessment of mood: This can reveal the presence of depression, which is a common condition in older adults.Neurological exam: This tests a person’s:reflexesbalancesensescoordinationLaboratory tests: These may include blood and imaging tests to rule out other conditions. People living with MCI often first receive a diagnosis when either they or a loved one notices that they are having more difficulty remembering things or processing thoughts. Issues with memory loss may prompt the person to speak with a doctor. Can treatment reverse MCI If MCI has a treatable cause, such as a nutrient deficiency, the condition can be reversible. However, there are no approved medications or standardized treatments for MCI that has no treatable cause. That said, a 2020 review suggests that regular aerobic or resistive exercise may increase cognitive function. The author recommends a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous exercise. Further studies are necessary to confirm whether this could be a treatment for MCI. Managing MCI There are several changes people can make to their daily routines to make the symptoms of MCI easier to manage. They include:following a regular routine so that tasks are easier to rememberputting commonly used items, such as keys and wallets, in the same place every daysetting automatic reminders on a phone or other deviceusing to-do lists, calendars, or other toolsgetting enough sleep — aiming for 7–8 hours per nighteating a nutritious, balanced diet Keeping the mind active may also help. People can try:learning a new skilldoing puzzles volunteering in the communitysocializing with friends and family Here are 22 brain exercises that improve memory and cognition. Preventing MCI It is not always possible to prevent MCI, but people can take steps to look after their cognitive abilities more generally. The National Institute on Aging recommends that people: Take care of physical health This includes:getting enough sleepquitting smokinglimiting the use of alcoholreducing the risk of brain injuries from fallschecking with a doctor about side effects from medications that might harm cognitionmanaging chronic health conditions, such as:depressiondiabeteshigh blood pressure Eat a healthy diet A person should try to focus on eating nutrient-dense foods, such as:fruitsvegetableswhole grainsfishpoultrylean meatsdairy products Try to limit:added sugarsexcessive saltsaturated fats Learn more about diet and brain function. Get regular exercise Just as regular exercise may offer a means of treating MCI, it may also provide some protection against it. Exercise helps maintain memory and other cognitive functions. Learn more about the benefits of aerobic exercise for the brain and body. Stay mentally and socially active Keeping the mind active and staying connected to others may benefit the brain, including cognition as well as mental health. People can try:learning new skills or hobbiesvolunteeringvisiting family and friendsjoining local clubs or interest groupsparticipating in group sports or outdoor activities Manage stress Chronic stress can have a negative effect on memory. Stress-reducing tips include:using relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercisespracticing mindfulness or meditation regularlywriting in a journal Learn more about why stress happens and how to reduce it. Contacting a doctor A person should speak with a doctor if they notice symptoms of MCI. Family members or friends who notice any signs of cognitive decline in a loved one should consider discussing this with them. Early intervention may help prevent further cognitive decline. If a person develops MCI, they should speak with a specialist or doctor every 6–12 months. A healthcare professional can help keep track of any changes in memory and thinking skills. Outlook The outlook for MCI in many cases is fairly positive. In situations where there is a treatable or temporary cause, a person may be able to make a full recovery. In other cases, people with MCI may experience a long-term change in memory, but they can often continue to live life independently. This depends on them being able to complete daily tasks around the home and the condition not progressing to Alzheimer’s or another degenerative disease. Summary Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a mild loss of memory or cognitive skills. A person with MCI may notice that they have become forgetful or have more trouble coming up with words than their peers. A number of risk factors can contribute, such as older age and certain health conditions. While the condition may start earlier, it becomes more common past ages 55–60 years. There is no treatment, but people may find that certain lifestyle changes help them manage the symptoms. Last medically reviewed on September 27, 2022Mental HealthAlzheimer's / DementiaNeurology / Neuroscience 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Cognitive health and older adults. (2020).https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adultsDhakal, A., et al. (2022). Cognitive deficits.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559052/Lee, J. (2020). Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise interventions on cognitive and physiologic adaptations for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7764103/Mild cognitive impairment (MCI). (n.d.).https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/related_conditions/mild-cognitive-impairmentPetersen, R. C. (2016). Mild cognitive impairment.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5390929/Statsenko, Y., et al. (2021). Predicting age from behavioral test performance for screening early onset of cognitive decline.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.661514/fullWeir, K. (2019). Spotting the signs of mild cognitive impairment.https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/10/ce-corner-impairmentWhat is mild cognitive impairment? (2021).https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-mild-cognitive-impairmentWhat is mild cognitive impairment? (n.d.).https://www.alzheimers.gov/alzheimers-dementias/mild-cognitive-impairmentFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Susan W. Lee, DO — By Jenna Fletcher and Mary West — Updated on September 27, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is dementia? Symptoms, stages, types, and moreMedically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP Dementia refers to symptoms that affect memory, communication, and thinking. It features in Alzheimer's disease. Learn about symptoms, stages, and…READ MOREWhat to know about Alzheimer's and sleepMedically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD Alzheimer's can affect a person's sleep in several ways. 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