Worried about your memory or the memory of a loved one?

• What was last night’s dinner conversation?
• What happened during my daughter’s last birthday party?
• How did I forget my doctor’s appointment?

Patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease (MCI due to AD) experience changes in their memory for recent events that is greater than would be expected for their age.

These changes are noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people who know them well, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities.

There is no approved treatment for MCI due to AD.

Unfortunately, a person with MCI due to AD is at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease progressively experience memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Most MCI due to AD patients progress to Alzheimer’s dementia within seven to 10 years.

By age 85, one of every three people will have Alzheimer’s disease. Today 5.6 million Americans and 25 million people globally suffer from MCI due to AD, and this population will double by 2030.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is experiencing unusual memory loss, please see your healthcare provider.

How is MCI due to AD diagnosed?

If you are worried about your memory or the memory of a loved one, your healthcare provider might decide to refer you to a specialist such as a neurologist or neuropsychiatrist for an evaluation. An evaluation might include asking you and your loved one questions regarding the memory changes you have noticed and some mental tests to assess your memory and thinking. These tests may help you better understand if you are performing at the level expected for your age.