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The Difference Between Cognitive Decline and Dementia

20 November 2025

Diagnosis of cognitive decline and dementia

Diagnosis of cognitive decline and dementia is carried out by doctors specializing in geriatrics or neurology.

If you notice memory loss or other cognitive difficulties, it is recommended to see your primary care doctor for an initial assessment. If needed, you will be referred for further evaluation with a geriatrician or neurologist.

Cognitive decline

Cognitive decline, also known as mild neurocognitive disorder (formerly mild cognitive impairment), refers to a noticeable decrease in thinking and learning abilities. The extent of decline is measured against a person’s previous level of functioning and can vary from one individual to another.

In the early stages, cognitive decline typically does not interfere with daily life. Once it starts affecting everyday functioning, it is classified as dementia.

Mild cognitive decline is considered a risk factor for developing dementia.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle—including regular physical exercise and balanced nutrition—can help reduce the risk of mild cognitive decline progressing to dementia.

Learn more about preventing dementia

Dementia

Dementia is a syndrome caused by progressive brain cell degeneration. Early on, it shows up as a decline in cognitive abilities, but over time it can worsen, leading to loss of independence and complete reliance on others.

According to the DSM-5, dementia is diagnosed when there is impairment in at least one cognitive ability, such as memory, initiative, speech or language comprehension, recognition, judgment, or word retrieval.

Learn more about dementia

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