The concept of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was forged 25 years ago and extensively used over the last 25 years to refer to the state of cognitive function between that seen in normal aging and dementia. Although sometimes misused as a condition per se, delaying diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders, the MCI concept facilitated awareness of this condition among memory clinics and health care providers.
Twenty-five years later, as diagnostic criteria for prodromal neurocognitive disorders are available, and as the concepts of minor neurocognitive disorders and mild behavioral impairment appeared as new declinations of MCI, what are the state of knowledge and future of the MCI concept?
About Dr Ronald C. Petersen
Ronald C. Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., focuses on investigations of cognition in normal aging, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Dr. Petersen directs the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.