Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild Cognitive Impairment

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources

    • What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

    Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a decline in thinking abilities that is greater than expected based on a person’s age. However, the decline does not impair the person’s ability to complete daily activities (as compared to dementia, in which the decline interferes with daily activities). It is important to recognize MCI because it puts a person at a greater risk of developing dementia in the future.

    The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases – but not all – result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. 

    Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment can be treated in the U-M Health Cognitive Disorders Program.

    Appointment Information

    For more information or to make an appointment, call 734-764-6831.

    What are the symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment?

    Experts classify MCI based on the thinking skills affected: 

    Amnestic MCI

    Amnestic MCI primarily affects memory.  A person with Amnestic MCI may start to forget important information that they would have previously recalled easily, such as:

    • Appointments
    • Conversations
    • Recent events

    Nonamnestic MCI

    Nonamnestic MCI affects thinking skills other than memory.  Thinking skills that may be affected by nonamnestic MCI include:

    • Making sound decisions
    • Judging the time or sequence of steps needed to complete a complex task
    • Visual perception

    How is Mild Cognitive Impairment diagnosed?

    MCI is diagnosed after a thorough evaluation that includes:

    • A discussion of symptoms and ability to perform daily activities
    • Testing of memory and other thinking abilities
    • A physical exam

    In addition, blood tests and brain imaging can be done to look for specific causes of MCI. In some cases, genetic or cerebrospinal fluid tests may be performed. There are now specialized blood tests and brain scans that can help determine if an individual has MCI due to Alzheimer’s disease.

    How is Mild Cognitive Impairment treated?

    There aren’t currently medications to slow the decline that can occur with MCI.  Drugs approved to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may help those with MCI, but have not been shown to prevent progression of MCI to dementia. 

    Some studies suggest that the following may help slow decline:

    • A healthy diet
    • Exercise
    • Participation in mentally simulating and socially engaging activities

    Patient Resources

    More information about Mild Cognitive Impairment can be found at:

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