Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) a condition in which a person has problems with memory, language, or another mental function severe enough to be noticeable to other people and to show up on tests, but not serious enough to interfere with daily life.

Because the problems do not interfere with daily activities, the person does not meet criteria for being diagnosed with dementia. The best-studied type of MCI involves a memory problem and is called “amnestic MCI.”

• Research has shown that individuals with MCI have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease over the next few years, especially when their main problem is memory.

• Not everyone diagnosed with MCI goes on to develop Alzheimer’s.

• There is currently no treatment for MCI approved by the FDA.

• Results of a large, federally funded trial showed that 10 milligrams of donepezil (Aricept) daily can reduce the risk of progressing from amnestic MCI to Alzheimer’s disease for about a year, but the benefit disappears within three years. The trial also showed that 2,000 international units of vitamin E daily do not reduce the risk of progressing.

  • The study authors say the results were not strong enough to support a clear recommendation to treat amnestic MCI with donepezil, but it might be reasonable for patients and their physicians to talk about the possible benefits and risks of treatment on an individual basis

• Two other studies have tested galantamine (Razadyne) as a treatment for MCI. These studies found no benefit, but the data showed an increased number of deaths in participants taking galantamine compared with those receiving the placebo.