What are some of the main medical treatments for mild cognitive impairment?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    The reversible causes of mild cognitive impairment (e.g., medication side-effects, alcohol, poor sleep, and head injuries) can often be treated by addressing those factors directly. For mild cognitive impairment associated with dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), there are no current pharmacological treatments.[1][2][3] Instead, strategies are used to help people with mild cognitive impairment improve their cognitive function and maintain independence in performing their typical daily tasks. These strategies include maintaining regular physical and cognitive activities and social interactions.[2][3][4] But more evidence is needed to determine their efficacy for preventing dementia.[2][3][5]

    References

    1. ^Fink HA, Jutkowitz E, McCarten JR, Hemmy LS, Butler M, Davila H, Ratner E, Calvert C, Barclay TR, Brasure M, Nelson VA, Kane RLPharmacologic Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Clinical Alzheimer-Type Dementia: A Systematic Review.Ann Intern Med.(2018-Jan-02)
    2. ^Ronald C Petersen, Oscar Lopez, Melissa J Armstrong, Thomas S D Getchius, Mary Ganguli, David Gloss, Gary S Gronseth, Daniel Marson, Tamara Pringsheim, Gregory S Day, Mark Sager, James Stevens, Alexander Rae-GrantPractice guideline update summary: Mild cognitive impairment: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of NeurologyNeurology.(2018 Jan 16)
    3. ^Chen YX, Liang N, Li XL, Yang SH, Wang YP, Shi NNDiagnosis and Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines and Consensus Statements.Front Neurol.(2021)
    4. ^Hallam B, Rees J, Petersen I, Cooper C, Avgerinou C, Walters KHow are people with mild cognitive impairment or subjective memory complaints managed in primary care? A systematic review.Fam Pract.(2021-Sep-25)
    5. ^Hafdi M, Hoevenaar-Blom MP, Richard EMulti-domain interventions for the prevention of dementia and cognitive decline.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2021-Nov-08)