Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not a 'dementia' but a milder form of memory impairment. It is a general term commonly used to describe a slight but measurable memory disorder, in particular short-term and prospective memory (e.g. remembering to attend appointments or take medication on time). A person with MCI has memory problems greater than normally expected for their age, but does not show the other symptoms of dementia, such as impaired judgment or reasoning. Characteristics of MCI include:
- A persons report of his or her own memory problems, preferably confirmed by someone else
- Has measurable, greater-than-normal for age memory impairment
- Has normal overall thinking and reasoning skills other than memory
- Is able to perform normal daily living activities
- Dementia not diagnosed
There is a higher than normal chance that people with MCI may go on to develop dementia. It is estimated that about 15% will develop dementia every year and 90% of these will develop Alzheimer's disease. Therefore MCI is a risk factor for the development of dementia. Studies involving people diagnosed with MCI are helpful to see if the drug treatments used in the study can delay or prevent the onset of dementia.
Professor Jones appeared on BBC radio to talk about MCI in August 2006.