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Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Topic Overview

Some people have memory loss but do not have dementia. They have what is known as mild cognitive impairment, a middle ground between normal aging and dementia. People with this condition are at risk for developing dementia; but not all people with mild cognitive impairment will progress to dementia.

People with mild cognitive impairment often know that they have lost memory, and tests can confirm some loss. But they have normal overall mental functioning and can carry out normal activities of daily living.

Doctors should evaluate people with memory loss, and those with mild cognitive impairment should be monitored because of their risk for developing dementia.

Credits

Current as of:
June 16, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Peter J. Whitehouse MD - Neurology
Myron F. Weiner MD - Psychiatry, Neurology