Diseases and Conditions
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine
Preparing for an appointment
Risk factors
The strongest risk factors for MCI are:
- Increasing age
- Having a specific form of a gene known as APOE e4, also linked to Alzheimer's disease — though having the gene doesn't guarantee that you'll experience cognitive decline
Other medical conditions and lifestyle factors have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive change, including:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cholesterol
- Obesity
- Depression
- Lack of physical exercise
- Low education level
- Infrequent participation in mentally or socially stimulating activities
