Early dementia vs mild cognitive impairment

Never diagnose yourself for any condition. Many symptoms are just part of you and are not a problem. The trick is to find the right physician to diagnose you who will not make you a permanent patient.

@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?

Yes. I’ve done much research on this. My symptoms were memory loss and being very forgetful. 3 years ago I went and had all the cognitive tests done at an area hospital. They said that I had MCI. But there was no information given on what this was. They told me to come back in 2 years. In that time my memory has been getting worse. I had all the tests, including an MRI done this time. They said I have vascular dementia. White matter and small vessel disease were causing this. It was a bit of a shock. And still is.

@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.

Pattee, did the diagnostician give you any cause for the lack of vascular flow. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225031247.htm

small vessel disease

I don't know if this helps https://neurologymobile.com/how-quickly-does-small-vessel-disease-progress/ but it sounds like a slow process and that there are ways to slow it down even further.

@colleenyoung mostly forgetting word. Common every day words
I have always prided myself on being a good wordsmith. Now I’m not and that stands out for me.

@susanejw, you're right. According to the definition in this article by Mayo Clinic "People with mild cognitive impairment, also known as MCI, may be aware that their memory or mental ability has changed. Family and close friends also may notice changes. But these changes aren't bad enough to impact daily life or affect usual activities." Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mild-cognitive-impairment/symptoms-causes/syc-20354578

@fletchette hi. I have typical MCI due to Alzheimer’s pathology - Amyloid plaque and Tau tangles. My primary gap is also word fluency - aka word retrieval latency. I also have enjoyed strong verbal skills and still do - as I would bet you do as well. A neuronal hiccup getting a specific word out doesn't change that. It just frustrates us because it interrupts a communication.

I choose to be candid with my
close friends and family and sometimes I just substitute another word or a description. But with family I sometimes prefer to pause and relax and see if the word comes. And they allow me that time. Many times it does. It doesn't really accomplish much but allows me to feel I haven't thrown my hands up on one of my strongest attributes. So purely an ego play. I acknowledge that. 🙂