Treatment

Currently, no drugs or other treatments are approved specifically for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, MCI is an active area of research. Clinical studies are underway to better understand the disorder and find treatments that may improve symptoms or prevent or delay progression to dementia.

Alzheimer's drugs

Doctors sometimes prescribe cholinesterase inhibitors, a type of drug approved for Alzheimer's disease, for people with MCI whose main symptom is memory loss. However, cholinesterase inhibitors aren't recommended for routine treatment of MCI. They haven't been found to affect progression to dementia, and can cause side effects.

Treating reversible causes of MCI: Medications

Certain medications can cause side effects that affect cognitive function. These side effects are thought to go away once the medication is stopped. It's important to discuss any side effects with your doctor and never stop taking your medications unless your doctor instructs you to do so. These medications include:

• Benzodiazepines, used to treat conditions such as anxiety, seizures and sleep disturbances
• Anticholinergics, which affect chemicals in the nervous system to treat many different types of conditions
• Antihistamines, often used to manage allergy symptoms
• Opioids, often used to treat pain
• Proton pump inhibitors, often used to treat reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Treating reversible causes of MCI: Other conditions

Other common conditions besides MCI can make you feel forgetful or less mentally sharp than usual. Treating these conditions can help improve your memory and overall mental function. Conditions that can affect memory include:

• High blood pressure. People with MCI tend to be more likely to have problems with the blood vessels inside their brains. High blood pressure can worsen these problems and cause memory difficulties. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and recommend steps to lower it if it's too high.
• Depression. When you're depressed, you often feel forgetful and mentally "foggy." Depression is common in people with MCI. Treating depression may help improve memory, while making it easier to cope with the changes in your life.
• Sleep apnea. In this condition, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you're asleep, making it difficult to get a good night's rest. Sleep apnea can make you feel excessively tired during the day, forgetful and unable to concentrate. Treatment can improve these symptoms and restore alertness.