Variable risk factors affecting the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered to be a transitional state in which cognitive function gradually deteriorates from normal to dementia, which is mainly characterized by reduced functioning in several cognitive domains, such as executive function, memory, language, processing speed, and attention. Currently, clinical treatment for dementia is not satisfactory, so we shifted our research focus to MCI to find variable risk factors, potential mechanisms, and effective preventive measures for the occurrence of MCI in older adults, to reduce the incidence of dementia and alleviate the health and economic burdens on the family and society. Currently, we found that the variable risk factors affecting the occurrence and development of MCI in older adults are cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, endocrine-metabolic diseases, social life factors, and psychological factors. We mainly review the effects of these risk factors on cognitive function and the potential mechanisms of action and propose interventions to improve cognitive function.

Keywords: Mild cognitive impairment, risk factors, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, intervention