Mild Cognitive Impairment

MCI is a clinical syndrome characterized by measurable cognitive decline beyond age-expected norms without significant functional impairment. Etiologies include neurodegenerative disease, cerebrovascular injury, or metabolic causes. Pathophysiology involves synaptic dysfunction, neuronal loss, and early proteinopathies. Diagnosis relies on cognitive testing and exclusion of dementia. Management focuses on risk factor modification, cognitive rehabilitation, and monitoring; prognosis varies, with MCI being a potential precursor to Alzheimer disease.