Mild Cognitive Impairment Treatment London

Mild cognitive impairment is defined as ‘the symptomatic predementia stage on the continuum of cognitive decline’. It is a condition in which an individual has mild but measurable problems with memory, language, thinking or judgement that are noticeable to the person affected and to family members.

While mild cognitive impairment symptoms are usually noticeable, the cognitive problems associated with MCI are not usually severe enough to require day-to-day assistance. Usual, daily activities can be managed by the individual, even if they are experiencing all of the common MCI symptoms.

If you think you have mild cognitive impairment, you might be aware of things such as your memory or mental function having “slipped” over the last few months. Your family and close friends may have also noticed small changes in your behaviour.

If this is the case, the best option is to seek professional diagnosis and support so that you can ensure your MCI doesn’t develop into anything more serious.

There is no single cause of mild cognitive impairment, though it is more likely to occur as you get older.

As well as your age, other factors like genetics and existing medical conditions can all increase the likelihood of developing MCI. Medical conditions that increase this risk include diabetes, depression, and having had a stroke.

Some treatable conditions might also result in an individual experiencing cognitive issues with thinking and memory. For example, adverse reactions to medication, emotional problems, alcohol consumption, blood clots or tumours on the brain, and head injuries.

Our mild cognitive impairment diagnostic process follows a simple, 4-step process:

Before any mild cognitive impairment treatment plans are established, it is important for our patients to have an initial consultation with a specialist physician.

During this consultation, patients can describe their experiences with certain symptoms and deliver an accurate picture of their medical history to the specialist, including any past or current medical conditions, medications, and family history of cognitive disorders.

Following their initial consultation, patients will have an appointment with a neuropsychologist in the Neuropsychiatric Laboratory. Examples of the assessments we might carry out include:

• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): Assesses cognitive functions like memory, orientation, arithmetic, language, and visual-spatial skills.
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): Evaluates various cognitive domains, including attention, memory, language, and executive function. 
• Other Cognitive Tests: To assess other specific cognitive functions based on your consultant’s advice.   

This will result in a computerised, detailed assessment of cognitive deficits and other neuropsychiatric issues associated with dementia.

As with many other diseases affecting brain function, blood tests and imaging scans will be required to generate the most accurate picture of the severity of the symptoms.

Brain imaging studies like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scans may be conducted to check for structural brain changes associated with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. These scans can help rule out other potential causes of cognitive impairment. 

These tests are outsourced to the highest quality and most convenient centres across London.

When all the results are available, a second consultation will take place with a private dementia consultant. 

Alongside providing a clinical diagnosis, a follow-up strategy will be discussed and explained. We will answer any questions and do our best to ensure you feel well informed and reassured during this time.