Mrs. N is a 72-year-old woman active in the community who notes it’s increasingly difficult to keep track of all the phone conversations and calls she receives and makes for her social groups. While she reports an increase in forgetfulness, she’s easily able to drive to all her activities, and according to close friends, she looks “normal.”
Mild cognitive impairment — also known as MCI — characterizes a person who has memory complaints but still functions independently. As we get older, the speed of processing slows down. Performing the basic activities of daily living and procedural skills, such as driving a car or playing the piano, are preserved, but the speed of the activity may decrease. Recognition of this stage is crucial, as it can represent a symptom of dementia. It has been called the “gray zone” or a “transitory state.” This is to be differentiated from the “tip of the tongue” phenomenon that one may experience when trying to recall an actor’s name in a movie recently seen, only to remember during a later time.
The American Psychiatric Association recently redefined MCI as mild neurocognitive disorder and published new criteria for diagnosis and identifying two major types of impairment which fall into this category. Memory predominant, or “amnestic MCI,” is characterized by persistent forgetfulness. Patients themselves — or their friends — will show frustration that they have no recollection about conversations that have taken place. This form of MCI is what is recognized as an early sign of possible Alzheimer’s. The non-memory or non-amnestic type represents difficulty, for example, with multitasking, and can occur for example in people with depression.
If you think you or your loved one may be having difficulty with memory, it is prudent to speak with your doctor to get baseline thinking exercises, imaging or blood work that can reveal a problem that may be treatable. Memory trouble can be caused by mood symptoms, so talking about your feelings and having a professional screen you for depression is advised. If you have diabetes, it should be treated, and if depression is recognized as a cause of your memory trouble, it should be treated as well. Also, be sure to check for hearing impairment to make sure this isn’t a barrier to learning or remembering.
Overall, engaging in activities, staying connected in the community and following the mantra “what’s heart healthy is brain healthy” can help maintain good brain health. Memory problems can be isolating, and speaking with your family and primary provider is important. I would like to emphasize that in an age of gadgets and electronics, a simple conversation regularly with a family member or friend may alert you to recognize the need for further investigation.
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Normal Aspects of Aging and Cognitive Decline originally appeared on usnews.com
