There are two types of mild cognitive impairment:
- Amnestic MCI, which significantly affects memory as well as other cognitive functions. People with this type of cognitive impairment are three to four times more likely to develop Alzheimer's than someone without MCI.
- Non-amnestic MCI, which affects cognitive functions other than memory. This form of MCI is more often linked with non-Alzheimer's dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia or dementia caused by Lewy bodies.
The root of MCI isn't completely known. Possible causes include:
- A neurodegenerative disease, such as what could become Alzheimer's
- A vascular condition, such as what could become vascular dementia
- A psychiatric condition, such as depression
- An injury, such as brain trauma
