Moneta Health

Decoding Mild Cognitive Impairment: Navigating the Gray Area of Cognitive Health There is a lot of news about memory and brain health.  I have been fascinated by the topic of longevity and aging - particularly as it relates to the brain.  I thought I would dive a bit into a particular term that is circulating to help us understand it in the context of overall brain performance and unravel the enigmatic term known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), shedding light on its significance and implications.  Imagine your brain as a well-organized library, filled with shelves of memories, stacks of knowledge, and an endless array of cognitive abilities. Now, picture a subtle disturbance in this tranquil sanctuary – a gentle whisper in this normally quiet and well-organized room that suggests a subtle shift in cognitive function that is more noticeable than typical age-related changes but not as severe as dementia. The whisper of mild cognitive impairment is a gray area, a transitional phase between the normal cognitive decline of aging and more serious cognitive impairments. Individuals with MCI may experience slight changes in memory, language, attention, or other cognitive functions that are noticeable to themselves or their loved ones. These changes may not significantly impact daily life but are often a cause for concern and warrant further evaluation. It's important to note that not everyone with MCI will progress to dementia. In fact, some individuals may remain stable or even revert to normal cognitive function over time. However, MCI does increase the risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, so early detection and monitoring are crucial. Think of MCI as a warning sign, a whisper in your ear from your brain, to pay attention and take proactive steps to preserve cognitive health. This may involve lifestyle modifications such as engaging in mental and physical exercise, eating a healthy diet, managing chronic conditions, and staying socially connected. Seeking professional evaluation and guidance is key in navigating the landscape of MCI. A healthcare provider can conduct cognitive assessments, perform diagnostic tests, and develop a personalized care plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. Most importantly we need to become aware of the role of early cognitive rehabilitation.  If our knee was not working like it should we would naturally seek out assistance from a physical therapist or trainer to help us in our rehabilitation.  Yet, many of us are totally unaware of the role of speech language specialists and specific focused sessions that can be done over the phone that can make a significant impact. Knowledge is power when it comes to cognitive health. By understanding mild cognitive impairment, you empower yourself to take charge of your brain health, make informed decisions, and embrace interventions that can potentially slow the progression of cognitive decline. #MCI #CognitiveRehabilitation

🎉 We are thrilled to announce the first 14 members to join StartUp Health’s Alzheimer's Moonshot Community, which was launched this year with support from Gates Ventures and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). These inspiring founders and researchers span the spectrum from early detection to treatment to caregiver support and we’re already seeing the power of collaboration as we bring the community together. Meet them here ➡️ https://ow.ly/vlEi50RPqQC #AlzMoonshot #Alzheimers #HealthTransformers #HealthMoonshot ADmit Therapeutics, ALZpath Inc., C. Light Technologies, Inc., Ilios Therapeutics, Kernel, MindAhead, Moneta Health, Neurosteer, RetiSpec, Sinaptica Therapeutics, Stem Pharm, TELL Toolkit, ToxGenSolutions BV (TGS), Zinnia

Over the long weekend I finally watched American Fiction, the Oscar nominated film starring Jeffrey Wright and a fantastic ensemble cast. It is satire at its best, scathing and laugh out loud hilarious.    Amidst the absurdity, one of the film’s subplots involves dementia. The family matriarch, played by the legendary Leslie Uggams, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.    Without spoiling anything, I gotta say the scenes in the movie depicting the family’s dementia journey hit me hard. I related to Jeffrey Wright’s character, “Monk” -- first denying anything was going on with his mum, to then receiving the diagnosis with her at the neurologist…touring an assisted living care facility and so on. It was all too realistic and familiar.   In 2016, my mum was diagnosed with early-stage dementia. It took us a couple years to confirm what was going on. Unfortunately, the healthcare system offered little hope and limited treatment options, especially non-drug alternatives. There was also a lack of personalized education and support for families and caregivers.    It’s no coincidence the silver screen is giving us more and more variations of this story (eg. The Father, Still Alice), a cultural reflection of what millions of individuals and families around the world are experiencing. How many? A recent Lancet study [Forecasting the Prevalence of Dementia - Jan. 6, 2022] forecasts the dementia population will reach 160 million globally by 2050, nearly triple the current 57 million.      There is still no cure but that does NOT mean there’s nothing we can do. In 2020, the Lancet published a report on Dementia Prevention, which was one of the clinical research building blocks informing the development of Moneta’s AI-powered and clinician led cognitive rehabilitation therapy platform. The report provides an analysis of modifiable risk-factors highlighting the importance of early screening and early intervention including lifestyle and behavior changes, cognitive training, education, and support.    At Moneta, our mission is to make this type of early intervention dementia care accessible to all individuals and families in need. From personal experience, the fear of this devastating disease is real but there is also reason for hope. Don’t just take my word, the same Lancet report includes this statement -- “It is never too early and never too late in the life course for dementia prevention.”   As I watched the scenes unfold with Monk and his mother, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey. The empathy and insight I’ve gained as a caregiver over the last eight years has made me humble and hungry to make an impact. If there’s anything I can share with any of you about my personal or professional experience with dementia, please reach out.    Peace/p    #dementiacare #dementiacaregiver #dementiaprevention #alzheimersawareness #americanfiction