If you’ve ever hesitated to get an evaluation for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a common precursor to Alzheimer’s disease, you aren’t alone. Some people simply don’t want to hear bad news. Others (incorrectly) assume there’s nothing that can be done to slow the progression of the disease.
There is a good reason to seek out a diagnosis, though. Recent advances have allowed experts to detect cognitive problems earlier and treat them more effectively, with some medications even slowing the decline of memory and thinking problems from Alzheimer’s.
The sooner you talk to your doctor about memory changes, the better. “An earlier diagnosis improves access to treatment, which can help slow the disease course,” says Mohamed Elkasaby, MD, a neurologist at University Hospitals in Cleveland. Seeking an earlier diagnosis also allows you to assemble a care team and start healthy lifestyle habits to stay comfortable and independent for as long as possible.
1. You Can Get the Right Care Team in Place
When it comes to managing a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis, it’s all about teamwork, says Dr. Elkasaby. The key members of your care team should include:
- A primary care physician, who will likely be your main point of care
- A neurologist, who specializes in brain and nervous system conditions
- A counselor or therapist, who can help with problem-solving
- Loved ones, such as trusted family members or friends
2. You Can Access Treatment Sooner
- Medications that help address memory, thinking, behavioral, or psychological symptoms
- Medications that help slow the progression of the disease
The two medication types can also be combined, says Elkasaby. “We tailor the treatment plan based on the individual person, their symptoms, and the stage of their disease.”
Many of the symptom-specific medications (such as those for anxiety, depression, or sleep issues) have been available for decades. The second class of drugs — disease-modifying therapies — are newer to the mild cognitive impairment treatment landscape, says Elkasaby. They work by lowering levels of beta-amyloid, a protein in the brain that can build up into plaques that are believed to contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
By targeting the underlying disease activity, rather than just the symptoms, these treatments aim to slow cognitive decline in its earliest stages.
The medications are also starting to be available to more people, sooner. “With the use of [advanced screening tests], we have started to diagnose MCI early and with high accuracy, which helps improve access to the disease-modifying treatments,” says Elkasaby.
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