Mild cognitive impairment quadrupled in patients in 10 years...10 to 15 percent of the cases are aggravated by dementia
Feb 23, 2025
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◇The number of patients with mild cognitive impairment has quadrupled in 10 years...10 to 15 percent of the cases are aggravated by dementia
Recently, a prominent phenomenon related to dementia is the significant increase in the number of patients with mild (mild) cognitive impairments.
Jang Joon-ho (a psychiatrist) at Centum General Hospital said, `Mild cognitive impairment is a pre-dementia stage that has the potential to develop into dementia. In other words, it means a state in which abnormalities appear in cognitive function but do not interfere with daily life", he explained.
According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients treated for mild cognitive impairment has quadrupled in 10 years from 85,140 in 2013 to 324,900 in 2023. The main symptoms of cognitive impairment include memory loss, concentration loss, and language ability.
Director Jang Joon-ho said "A follow-up of patients with mild cognitive impairment worsens 10 to 15% each year to dementia, which is much higher than the incidence of dementia in the general population aged 65 and over."
Since mild cognitive impairment can be caused by various causes, professional examination and examination are required.
Manager Jang Joon-ho explained that `Cognitive dysfunction is often restored when properly treated through such a process.' In addition, as the concept of Alzheimer's disease extends to people with normal cognitive function, mild cognitive impairment is becoming an important treatment target and appropriate treatment stage.
◇ Neurocognitive test performed...MRI and PET imaging if necessary
In order to diagnose mild cognitive impairment, first, a medical history can be heard from patients and guardians, and a cognitive function screening test can be performed. After that, a neurocognitive test is performed for a more detailed evaluation. In addition, a survey is conducted to evaluate whether cognitive impairment causes impairment in daily life ability.
If cognitive decline is confirmed in the neurocognitive test, a blood test is performed to determine the causative disease, and if necessary, MRI and PET imaging are used to examine the structure and functional condition of the brain.
In this process, cognitive function is lowered by more than a certain level (1 to 1.5 standard deviation compared to general age), and daily life ability is normal and can be diagnosed as mild cognitive impairment unless it is dementia. However, it is important to make a judgment by comprehensively considering detailed medical history, test results, and clinical conditions.
◇Early treatment and improvement of healthy eating habits and lifestyle are important
Just because you are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment does not necessarily lead to dementia. Starting care and treatment at an early date can slow or prevent further deterioration of brain function. Therefore, if symptoms are suspected or distinct, seek special treatment, and if necessary, medication can be combined. In addition, non-pharmaceutical treatments such as exercise and cognitive rehabilitation can be performed together.
Manager Jang Joon-ho said "Medication for mild cognitive impairment still requires further research. In the case of Alzheimer's disease, a drug that removes the causative agent 'amyloid beta protein' in the brain was developed and approved by the U.S. FDA in 2023 and was recently introduced in Korea. However, there are still problems such as high drug treatment costs, brain swelling, and the risk of brain bleeding."
To prevent it from progressing to dementia, it is important to improve lifestyle habits. Regular exercise helps prevent cognitive decline due to increased cerebral blood flow and reduced stress. In addition, active social activities and brain activities such as puzzle-solving are effective. In addition, it is necessary to maintain a healthy diet and manage chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Manager Jang Joon-ho said "Mild cognitive impairment is an important step that can progress to dementia, so it is important to reduce the risk of developing dementia through early diagnosis and management. If you have any suspected symptoms, please consult a specialist for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.'
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
