Around eight million Americans age 65 or over have mild cognitive impairment, but most don’t even know it. That’s partially because people don’t fully understand mild cognitive impairment and what it means. These misconceptions can delay diagnosis and prevent you from taking steps to help slow the progression, protect your brain health, and maintain independence.
Learning to separate mild cognitive impairment fact from fiction can help you recognize potential symptoms, know when to seek medical advice, and make informed decisions about your health.
1. Myth: MCI Is a Natural Part of Aging
2. Myth: MCI Always Progresses to Dementia
Even though mild cognitive impairment can increase your risk of dementia, it’s not a guarantee.
Research suggests about 15 percent of people age 65 or older with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia within a year. The rest stay stable, or their symptoms improve.
As you get older, it’s more likely that mild cognitive impairment will turn into dementia. “If we follow individuals for a long period of time, most of them do end up progressing, but not all of them,” says Kevin Duff, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist and codirector of the Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Portland.
3. Myth: Memory Problems Are the Only Symptom
Although memory loss is often associated with mild cognitive impairment, it’s not the only possible symptom.
Memory loss is the main symptom of what’s known as amnestic mild cognitive impairment. But nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment affects other thinking skills. “Some individuals may struggle with language difficulties. Others may struggle with difficulties in planning, problem-solving, or other executive functions,” says Dr. Duff.
Symptoms can vary by which areas of the brain are affected by mild cognitive impairment.
4. Myth: MCI Progression Can’t Be Reversed or Slowed
A mild cognitive impairment diagnosis is not always a one-way path toward worsening cognitive decline. Sometimes it’s possible to slow mild cognitive impairment — or even improve it. Research suggests around 20 percent of people with mild cognitive impairment go back to normal cognition without treatment, depending on the underlying cause of symptoms.
Lifestyle habits can play an important role, as well. Exercising regularly, participating in mentally stimulating activities, and staying socially engaged have been linked to better brain health. “These lifestyle changes, along with following a healthy diet and managing chronic medical conditions, also seem to slow down the progression of the disease,” says Duff.
While no single approach can guarantee that mild cognitive impairment won’t progress, a combination of treatment and healthy lifestyle changes may help preserve cognitive function and quality of life.
5. Myth: Dementia Is the Only Cause
Although mild cognitive impairment can be an early sign of dementia, it’s not the only possible cause of cognitive changes. A variety of medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and even medications can affect memory and thinking.
“It’s not unusual in my clinic for me to see somebody who meets the criteria for mild cognitive impairment, but I also notice that that person may have some mild to moderate symptoms of depression,” says Duff. “We know that depression can also lead to problems with someone’s thinking abilities and day-to-day activities.”
Other health factors that can cause symptoms similar to those of mild cognitive impairment include:
- Deficiencies in certain vitamins, minerals, or hormones
- Low blood pressure
- Medications that cause sleepiness or confusion
- Regular alcohol use
- Severe constipation
- Sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea
- Stress or anxiety
- Viral infections such as COVID
- Vision or hearing loss
In many of these cases, your thinking ability may improve once you treat the underlying cause.
6. Myth: Young People Can’t Develop MCI
The risk of mild cognitive impairment increases as you age, which is why the condition is most often diagnosed in older adults. But it is possible to develop mild cognitive impairment at any age.
Because mild cognitive impairment can occur at any age, it’s important to discuss persistent memory or thinking problems with your doctor, even if you’re considered “too young” to have them.
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