This may be the first sign of Alzheimer’s: In 80% of cases, people will develop the disease
The most common signs of Alzheimer’s-related MCI include:
Difficulty remembering recent events: For example, forgetting a doctor’s appointment or what you ate for breakfast, but remembering events from decades ago.
Repeating questions or stories: Asking the same thing multiple times in a conversation without realizing it.
Word-finding problems: Difficulty remembering common terms or substituting incorrect words.
Mild disorientation: Getting lost in familiar places or forgetting the current date.
Difficulty with complex tasks: Trouble planning a meal, managing finances, or following detailed instructions.
Practical example: A 68-year-old woman notices that she frequently forgets where she parked her car or repeats the same story to her children. Although she can still manage her daily routine, these episodes are more frequent than before, which could indicate MCI.
Amnestic MCI is closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease because it reflects early damage to brain areas such as the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory. Brain imaging studies, such as those published in The Lancet Neurology (2024), show that people with MCI often have beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, even before symptoms become severe.
The risk of progression to Alzheimer’s disease depends on several factors:
Age: People over 65 with MCI are more likely to develop the disease.
Genetics: The presence of the APOE4 gene increases the risk by up to 30%, according to the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (2024).
Other risk factors: High blood pressure, diabetes, depression, or previous head trauma accelerate progression.
MCI severity: Those with more pronounced memory problems are at higher risk.
For example, a 70-year-old man with MCI who has the APOE4 gene and uncontrolled diabetes has a significantly higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s than someone without these factors.
In addition to MCI, other early symptoms may indicate a risk of Alzheimer’s, especially if combined with memory problems:
Mood or personality changes: Unusual irritability, apathy, or anxiety.
Visual-spatial difficulties: Trouble judging distances, reading, or recognizing faces.
Loss of initiative: Decreased interest in previously pleasurable activities.
Judgment problems: Making inappropriate financial decisions or neglecting personal hygiene.
Practical example: A 65-year-old man who forgets appointments and shows apathy toward his favorite hobbies, such as playing chess, could be showing early signs of Alzheimer’s beyond MCI.
If you notice memory or thinking problems that worry you, it’s crucial to act immediately. Here’s how to assess whether you might have MCI or a risk of Alzheimer’s:
Initial self-assessment:
Do you forget recent events more often than before?
Do you have trouble following conversations or finding words?
Do you notice you need more reminders for everyday tasks?
If you answer “yes” to several of these questions, seek a medical evaluation.