Cognition is an assortment of processes that take place in the brain. These processes encompass the ability to learn, memory and decision-making. Cognitive decline is the experience of worsening or more frequent confusion or memory loss. Impaired cognition has a tremendous influence on a person's health. Mild cognitive impairment to more severe impairment like dementia is the various forms cognitive decline can present as. This form of cognitive decline (Dementia) alters daily life activities that one normally engages in.
Signs Of Cognitive Decline
Subjective cognitive decline is self-reported so it can be quite hard to spot especially when there is no significant effect on day-to-day interactions with others. The signs are typically subtle, and your family and friends may be the ones to pick up the signs that something is wrong. Here are a few signs that you may be experiencing cognitive decline.
1. Forgetting appointments, dates, events, and even recent conversations. While forgetting things as you grow older is a normal part of aging, constant forgetfulness can be a sign of cognitive decline.
2. Having feelings of being overwhelmed by decision-making, planning, and problem-solving.
3. Loss of sense of direction.
4. Impulsiveness
5. Inability to organize tasks. This is due to loss of focus and being easily distracted.
6. Depression, anxiety, and irritability
Age-Related Cognitive Decline
With aging comes a decrease in memory and brain function. It is expected that your brain doesn't remain as sharp in your sixties as it was in your twenties. There is a predicted cognitive decline in elderly that comes with old age.
However, with people that have a family history of severe cognitive impairment diseases such as Alzheimer's, this age-related decline can come with a lot of anxiety. It is easy to draw parallels between a normal age-related decline and mild or severe cognitive impairment. So what is considered normal forgetfulness and what is considered concerning?
Common physical changes in cognitive decline with age include loss of volume in the areas responsible for memory and planning, diminished connectivity between parts of the brain, and increased inflammation. These changes express themselves as slower-paced thinking, difficulty in multitasking and finding words or names, problems paying attention and retaining information.
When cognitive function declines past what is typically expected it is categorized as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI is not as severe as dementia and does not interfere with the ability to perform daily routines. People with MCI may just forget names or important events. But, they are at higher risk of developing dementia than people who do not have MCI.
Treatment For Mild Cognitive Decline/ Impairment
Right now, there is no specific drug treatment for mild cognitive impairment. But, there are some evidence-based therapies that can help rebuild cognitive reserve and retrain your mind to slow down impairment such as neurofeedback and light therapy. As new treatments for Alzheimer's disease are emerging, these treatments may be tested on patients with MCI.
Some medications can cause side effects that affect cognitive function. When the medication is stopped, the side effects typically go away. These medications include opioids, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, and anticholinergics.
