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Early dementia vs mild cognitive impairment
Early Dementia & Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) | Last Active: 8 hours ago | Replies (5)Comment receiving replies
@fletchette, that's a very good question. Dementia is a general term for memory loss or cognitive decline. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are other common types such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Early dementia refers to the early stages of any type of dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the in-between stage between typical thinking skills and dementia. The condition causes memory loss and trouble with language and judgment, but it doesn't affect daily activities. MCI raises the risk of developing dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease or other brain conditions. But for some people with mild cognitive impairment, symptoms might never get worse or even get better.
You can read more on Mayo Clinic:
- Dementia https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013
- Mild Cognitive Impairment https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mild-cognitive-impairment/symptoms-causes/syc-20354578
This support group is a place to connect with others living with dementia.
Pattee, what were the first signs that you noticed that led to your diagnosis of vascular dementia?
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@colleenyoung Maybe you can help me, too. I was diagnosed with MCI in early 2024 and with Frontotemporal Dementia this past June. In June they still said I was still in the MCI stage, though. Probably because I could still drive locally. But since then, I think I’m past the MCI stage. I read somewhere that the “dividing line” is if you can still function in your life’s activities fairly normally or not.