Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) usually does not cause severe disability, but does effect one's memory, causing considerable distress to the patient and family. A Mayo Clinic study demonstrated about one half of the patients diagnosed with MCI developed Alzheimer's Disease within four years. In addition, studies have shown that primary care physicians fail to diagnose one third of those patients who actually have MCI. This illustrates the importance of proper and early detection and diagnosis. Only with an accurate diagnosis can appropriate treatment be started in time to make a difference in the patient's life. Once a diagnosis of MCI has been made periodic Neuropsychological examinations done at 6-8 month intervals are recommended to determine whether disorder has progressed.
