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5 facts about mild cognitive impairment

Illustration of a young woman helping a confused older woman.

Nov. 7, 2024—Everyone occasionally misplaces their car keys or forgets someone's birthday. And memory lapses like these may happen more often as we age. But if they become more than an occasional nuisance, it may be worth asking a doctor about mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

MCI causes memory and thinking problems that are less severe than those of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. It is common among older adults—but many people have never heard of it.

MCI can be worrying and frustrating. The good news? It's often manageable.

Here are five more facts about MCI:

1. The symptoms don't interfere with daily life

Symptoms of MCI are significant enough for family and friends to notice them. But they usually don't prevent a person from performing their daily activities. People with MCI don't get lost in familiar places, ask the same questions over and over, or forget the names of close friends. However, they do tend to have more problems with memory and thinking than other people their age, which may cause them to:

  • Lose things often.
  • Have trouble remembering recent conversations.
  • Forget to go to events or appointments.
  • Have more trouble coming up with words than other people the same age.

2. It's more common with age

According to some estimates, as many as 10% to 20% of people over 65 have MCI, reports Alzheimers.gov. Scientists haven't pinpointed a single cause. But stroke, diabetes and depression are some of the conditions that may increase a person's chances of having it.

3. You should tell a doctor if you think you have MCI

If you notice symptoms of MCI in yourself or a loved one, tell a doctor. You may need some tests and assessments to help find the cause of your memory issues.

Sometimes memory problems are caused by things like depression or alcohol use. Or they might be a side effect of a medication. In these cases, treating or addressing the underlying cause can reverse the memory problem.

4. We don't have medicines or other treatments for MCI yet

If you have MCI, your doctor might suggest ways to manage changes in your thinking, such as daily to-do lists and reminders.

And while there's no guarantee, you can try things that might help keep your brain sharp. According to the American Psychiatric Association, that could include:

  • Exercising.
  • Getting plenty of sleep.
  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, like learning a new skill.

Learn more about keeping your brain healthy in our Brain health topic center.

5. MCI can raise the risk of dementia

Many people see their MCI symptoms stay the same or even improve. But an estimated 10% to 20% of people with MCI develop dementia within a year, the National Institute on Aging reports. If you have MCI, getting regular checkups lets your doctor monitor for any changes in your memory and thinking.

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