‘Subtle’ Signs May Point to Dementia Precursor

Everyone experiences forgetfulness, but more and more doctors are focusing on cases where the innocuous condition progresses to a condition known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Both new york times And that washington post This is a problem because the disease is believed to be severely underdiagnosed and early intervention is helpful.by alzheimer’s disease association, MCI is usually (but not always) an early stage of memory loss that can develop into neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what we know:

• Hidden problem: In 2018, a subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology estimated that 1 in 10 people between the ages of 70 and 74 has MCI, rising to 1 in 4 between the ages of 80 and 84. the study This suggests that 92% of MCI patients aged 65 and older are undiagnosed. “The benefit of catching MCI early is that you can slow it down, and then you can slow it down,” said David Wiseman, director of clinical research at Penn State’s Abington Department of Neurology. post.
• Reversible in some cases: In some cases, MCI is a temporary (and reversible) result of problems such as sleep disorders or vitamin deficiencies. times. However, in most cases it is a precursor to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (up to 15% of MCI patients develop dementia each year). With aging, brain volume decreases by an average of 5% every 10 years from the age of 40 onwards. post Note. However, the acceleration and risk of MCI vary from person to person.
• “Subtle” signs: Common forgetfulness, such as not remembering the names of people from your past or not being able to find your car keys, are not signs of MCI. However, if you experience more pronounced memory loss (repeatedly forgetting about your golf date), increased clumsiness, difficulty absorbing new information, or difficulty understanding common social cues, seek medical attention. It could mean it’s time to receive it. “This is a delicate condition,” said Ronald Petersen, director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. post. “With MCI, people can still drive, pay their bills and pay their taxes, but it just becomes less efficient.”
• test: When it’s time to get tested for MCI; post We recommend that you fill out this online assessment before seeing a doctor. Once there, you may be given a series of cognitive tests and blood tests. It may be helpful to bring a loved one with you who can talk about the changes you observe.of times Please note that. mini mental status exam And that Montreal Cognitive Assessment This is a common MCI test.
• After diagnosis: Experts recommend doubling down on a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough exercise and eating a diet aimed at brain health (research shows reducing trans and saturated fat slows cognitive decline) ). Start planning for your future now by considering activities like memory training, using tools like calendars and memory reminders, and maintaining a similar schedule.

(The outbreak of “brain fog” may be due to the new coronavirus.)