Mild cognitive disorder

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a neurological disorder that occurs in older adults which involves cognitive impairments with minimal impairment in instrumental activities of daily living. MCI involves the onset and evolution of cognitive impairments beyond those expected based on an individual's age and education, but which are not significant enough to interfere with her or his daily activities. It may occur as a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. The specific etiology of the disorder remains unclear, as well as its prevention and treatment. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a neurological disorder that occurs in older adults which involves cognitive impairments with minimal impairment in instrumental activities of daily living. MCI involves the onset and evolution of cognitive impairments beyond those expected based on an individual's age and education, but which are not significant enough to interfere with her or his daily activities. It may occur as a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. The specific etiology of the disorder remains unclear, as well as its prevention and treatment. Although MCI can present with a variety of symptoms, when memory loss is the predominant symptom it is termed 'amnestic MCI' and is frequently seen as a prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease. Studies suggest that these individuals tend to progress to probable Alzheimer's disease at a rate of approximately 10% to 15% per year. When individuals have impairments in domains other than memory (e.g., language, visuospatial, executive) it is classified as nonamnestic single- or multiple-domain MCI and these individuals are believed to be more likely to convert to other dementias (e.g., dementia with Lewy bodies).