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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Mild cognitive impairment called MCI is a diagnosis of early-stage memory loss that does not impact daily life. It affects about one in six adults ages 65 or older in the U.S. For some it is just normal aging, but for an estimated 15 percent of people with MCI, it is much worse.

Marie Davis is 83 years old and a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

“I really enjoy living. Keep telling myself, ‘Now, I’m not a young woman. I’m the age I am and keep believing that. Don’t overdue but do’,” she said.

Davis was diagnosed last year with mild cognitive impairment. She’s still able to care for herself in her home. And she follows these two rules from her doctor, “Keep my mind clear. Be patient with myself.”

MCI is typically identified during a medical exam. The doctor talks with the patient and a loved one who knows them well.

“It helps us to detect what might be potentially going on and helps us make a decision clinically if this patient should have further diagnostic assessment,” said Nicole Fowler, PhD, MHSA, a research scientist at Regenstrief Institute/ Associate Professor IU School of Medicine .

Professor Fowler is part of a national panel of experts advocating for early detection of MCI. After a diagnosis, doctors can investigate whether there is an underlying cause, such as a medication the patient is taking.

“Many older adults take both prescription and over-the-counter medicines for a variety of reasons. And some of these drugs can have a real impact on people’s brains,” said Fowler.

Early detection also gives patients and their families more time to plan for the future, especially in cases where it develops into dementia.

“The ability to have discussions that are over time and longitudinal with patients is, sort of, one of the benefits of a mild cognitive impairment discussion because the patient is still able to do some things for themselves,” explained Fowler.

Davis encourages anyone noticing memory changes to talk to their doctor.

“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s for your benefit,” she said.

Fowler says currently, there are no established guidelines for how doctors detect or diagnose MCI. She says the goal of their research is to help incorporate brief cognitive assessments into routine care of older adults.

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