The Cognitive Strengthening Program is a treatment program for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's disease. It seeks to use these new findings to delay the progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment is the name given to a syndrome of impaired cognitive function, especially impaired memory, in people who otherwise do not meet the criteria for dementia. Many of those who are initially diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment will go on to develop Alzheimer's The rest have diverse other medical or psychiatric difficulties, often compounded by sensory deficits that cause similar symptoms.

Researchers believe it is advantageous to diagnose and treat even the mildest symptoms as early as possible. It appears that early pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment can delay the progression of dementing diseases and reduce cognitive decline.

Potential Effects of Cognitive Strengthening Program In addition to cognitive problems such as memory impairment and difficulty concentrating and completing complex tasks, psychiatric symptoms are often seen in people with MCI. For example, many people with early Alzheimer's and MCI also suffer from depression, anxiety and suspiciousness. These are also responsive to appropriate treatment.

How Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Affect Memory There are several types of memory, not all of which are equally impaired in people with dementia. Researchers tend to divide memory into three main groupings: Episodic, Semantic,
and Procedural. While older episodic memories are typically maintained, new episodic memory (like what one had for breakfast) is usually the first type of memory to be impaired. Semantic memory, the ability to understand the meaning of words, and even of things in
the world, is typically intact in early Alzheimer's and MCI. Procedural memory, like how to ride a bike, or how to act in social situations, is preserved long into the disease.  
 
The Hearthstone Cognitive Strengthening Approach Hearthstone is interested in research-based, non-pharmacological treatments for dementia. The unevenness of early neurological damage results in uneven patterns of decline.

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