New Facts & Figures Report on Mild Cognitive Impairment

Maybe it seems odd to start this story with a photo of "inspire", but hear me out....

Every year, the Alzheimer's Association regularly publishes their Facts and Figures report on Alzheimer's Disease. This year, for the first time, they have published a special report entirely focused on Mild Cognitive Impairment. We have discussed in past posts questions about MCI, including MCI due to Alzheimer's disease as well as the difference between MCI and dementia.

As we discuss in those posts, not all Mild Cognitive Impairment is Alzheimer's disease, but it can be. Just like not all dementia is Alzheimer's disease. Whatever the cause of a person's MCI, I am very excited to see the Alzheimer's Association expanding its data to be specific to MCI. The more awareness we can bring to the topic the better in my opinion. And there are some results from this survey that may (or may not) surprise those of you living with MCI or those of you who have a loved one with MCI. You can read the full special report here, but below are a few take home points from their report.

Facts and Figures:

• Only 18% of Americans are familiar with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
• Age is the biggest risk factor for MCI. The prevalence of MCI is about 7% at age 60-64 and increases to 25% by age 80-84.
• Studies estimate that 10-15% of individuals with MCI progress to a diagnosis of dementia each year. However, some individuals revert to normal cognition or remain stable.

What does the public think:

• When given a description of MCI, 55% say MCI sounds like normal aging
• Nearly half (43%) of Americans worry about developing MCI in the future
• Most Americans (85%) say they want to know early if they have Alzheimer's disease so they can plan for the future, allow earlier treatment, take steps to stay as healthy as possible, and just understand what is happening
• However, only 40% say they would mention their concerns to their doctors right away.

What do primary care physicians (PCPs) think:

• Almost all (98%) PCPs say it is important to diagnose MCI, but half (51%) say they are not fully comfortable diagnosing it.
• Almost all (96%) PCPs say it is important to assess cognition in patients over 60 but just half (48%) do it.
• PCPs find it difficult to differentiate MCI from normal aging and site the lack of specialists to help with diagnostic testing as a significant challenge.
• When MCI is diagnosed, the most common recommendation is lifestyle changes (73%).

What we all think:

• Most Americans and PCPs are optimistic about future treatments for MCI and Alzheimer's disease.

I hope you will take a look at the full report. What I see is tremendous opportunity for those of you living with MCI to educate those around you. That is a heavy burden to place upon you, but are all ambassadors of helping individuals understand what MCI is (and what it isn't). This special report shows that a large international organization is also on your side and raising awareness of this syndrome. The HABIT team is also passionate about advocacy for those living with MCI. But we know that the most powerful advocate is you--you and your loved ones who can really raise awareness like none of us can. On that note, I recently came across the book Like Falling Through A Cloud by author Eugenia Zukerman. It is a collection of poetry she wrote about being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at the MCI stage. After finding her book, I found her account of what it was like to be diagnosed and her views on life since then. I'm inspired by so many of the patients I see who are living with resiliency, we can all learn from you just like we learn from Ms. Zukerman.

Certainly, we need more of us in specialty areas who can partner with our PCPs to help them build their confidence in diagnosing MCI as well as just more specialists in areas of diagnosing and treating cognitive disorders. But in the meantime you, those of you living with Mild Cognitive Impairment, you are leading the way in terms of helping your neighbor, friend, extended family, understand MCI and how to support you and your family. You inspire every day.