Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

About Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

Mild neurocognitive disorder is a DSM-5 diagnosis describing a modest decline in one or more cognitive areas, such as memory, attention, language or executive function, compared with a previous level of performance. The decline is noticed by the person, someone who knows them well or a clinician, and is supported by testing, but it does not prevent independent everyday living, although greater effort or compensatory strategies may be needed. The concept overlaps substantially with mild cognitive impairment. As with major neurocognitive disorder, clinicians specify the likely cause, which can include early Alzheimer disease, vascular disease and other conditions, as well as potentially treatable contributors such as medication effects, depression, sleep problems or vitamin and thyroid disorders. Some people remain stable or improve, while others progress to major neurocognitive disorder over time. Care focuses on identifying and treating contributing factors, monitoring changes, managing cardiovascular risk, and supporting physical, social and cognitive activity.