Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It’s characterized by problems with memory, language, thinking or judgment.
Deeper dive
While these changes aren’t severe enough to significantly interfere with a person’s daily life and usual activities, they can be concerning. Mild cognitive impairment may increase later risk developing dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other neurological conditions. But some people with mild cognitive impairment never get worse, and a few eventually get better, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic.
The National Institute of Aging says there is no single cause of MCI. The risk of developing MCI increases as someone gets older. Conditions such as diabetes, depression, and stroke may increase a person’s risk for MCI.
Signs of MCI may include:
- Losing things often
- Forgetting to go to events or appointments
- Having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age
- Movement difficulties and problems with the sense of smell have also been linked to MCI.
Some people with COVID-19 report cognitive issues, but it’s not yet clear whether the “brain fog” and MCI symptoms are permanent, or whether they increase risk of developing dementia later in life.