Our research goal is to gain a greater understanding of cognition and memory in older people, and to develop new and better ways to both prevent and treat memory loss and cognitive decline in older adults. Ultimately we aim to maintain independence in older people as long as possible during life, and to compress disability into the shortest possible period of life. Memory decline often leads to disability and loss of independence. One important goal of the Kulynych Center is to better educate the lay public about memory loss, cognition, dementia, and other forms of memory impairment in older people. Dementia A condition of declining mental abilities, especially memory. Vascular Dementia Loss of brain function due to a series of small strokes. Alzheimer's Disease The type of dementia known as Alzheimer's disease was first described in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) A general term most commonly used to describe a subtle but measurable memory disorder.	Simple tasks like finding your keys, locating your car in a parking lot, or remembering a phone number or birthday become difficult in the early stages of memory impairment. More information about types of memory loss are listed below. Cognition Dementia Vascular Dementia »coming soon Alzheimer's Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)    »coming soon Keep physically and mentally fit. Research is beginning to show there is a lot we can do to prevent or decrease cognitive impairment as we age.