Mild cognitive impairment (MCI, also known as incipient dementia, or isolated memory impairment) is a diagnosis given to individuals who have cognitive impairments beyond that expected for their age and education, but that do not interfere significantly with their daily activities. It is considered to be the boundary or transitional stage between normal aging and dementia.
Blood Tests May Hold Clues to Pace of Alzheimer?s Disease Progression – Researchers found a way to predict how quickly patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) will lose cognitive function by looking at ratios of two fatty compounds in their blood.
Even mild cognitive impairment appears to substantially increase risk for death – Cognitive impairment, especially at the moderate to severe stages has an impact on life expectancy similar to chronic conditions such as diabetes or chronic heart failure, revealed by Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University researchers in a study “Cognitive Impairment: An Independent Predictor of Excess Mortality. A Cohort Study” published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Differences in brain structure indicate risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease — Thinning of key cortical areas predicts dementia up to a decade in advance – Subtle differences in brain anatomy among older individuals with normal cognitive skills may be able to predict both the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the following decade and how quickly symptoms of dementia would develop.
Study evaluates association of genetic factors and brain imaging findings in Alzheimer’s disease – By investigating the association between genetic loci related to Alzheimer’s disease and neuroimaging measures related to disease risk, researchers may have uncovered additional evidence that several previously studied genetic variants are associated with the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and also may have identified new genetic risk factors for further study, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Aerobic exercise has a better effect on cognition and other biomarkers associated with Alzheimer disease pathology for older adults with mild cognitive impairment. – Moderate physical activity performed in midlife or later appears to be associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment, whereas a six-month high-intensity aerobic exercise program may improve cognitive function in individuals who already have the condition.
Compared with placebo, the use of G biloba, 120 mg twice daily, did not result in less cognitive decline in older adults with normal cognition or with mild cognitive impairment. – Older adults who used the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba for several years did not have a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to adults who received placebo.
Reduced muscle strength associated with risk for Alzheimer’s disease – Individuals with weaker muscles appear to have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and declines in cognitive function over time, revealed by the researchers.
Problems managing money may surface shortly before Alzheimer’s disease sets in – New research finds poor money management skills may indicate that a person with mild memory problems will soon develop Alzheimer’s disease, revealed by researchers in a new research study.
Biomarkers may help predict risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment – Several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers showed good accuracy in identifying patients with mild cognitive impairment who progressed to Alzheimer’s disease, revealed by US researchers in JAMA.
Regular moderate alcohol intake has cognitive benefits in older adults – Moderate alcohol intake offers long-term cognitive protection and reduces the risk of dementia in older adults, revealed by researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
