Cognitive Impairment, also referred to as a mild cognitive impairment, is a condition that causes a decline in mental ability. Those affected by this condition experience disruptions in memory, judgment, or language. Someone with this condition may find it difficult to recall names or facts. A cognitive impairment has the potential to progress into other neurological conditions with age, including dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In other cases, the condition can remain stagnant.
Symptoms:
There is not a single conclusive cause for cognitive impairment, but could be connected to changes in the brain seen in types of dementia. Some risk factors for cognitive impairment include increasing age and the APOE e4 gene connected to Alzheimer’s disease. Some symptoms include
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Difficulty navigating familiar environments
- Difficulty learning new things