Which statement correctly contrasts major neurocognitive disorder with mild neurocognitive disorder?

Which statement correctly contrasts major neurocognitive disorder with mild neurocognitive disorder?

• A. Major requires no impairment; mild requires full independence.
• B. Major involves substantial cognitive decline with interference; mild involves modest decline not interfering with independence.
• C. Major is only due to Alzheimer’s; mild is due to vascular dementia.
• D. Major occurs only in individuals under 50.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how much cognitive change there is and whether it disrupts daily functioning. Major neurocognitive disorder involves a substantial decline in one or more cognitive abilities that interferes with independence in daily activities, meaning help or supervision is typically needed for common tasks. Mild neurocognitive disorder, by contrast, involves a modest decline, and independence is preserved in daily life, though the person may require some extra effort or strategies. The other statements don’t fit: major isn’t without impairment and doesn’t allow full independence, etiologies aren’t limited to Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia, and the condition is not restricted to people under 50.

The main idea is how much cognitive change there is and whether it disrupts daily functioning. Major neurocognitive disorder involves a substantial decline in one or more cognitive abilities that interferes with independence in daily activities, meaning help or supervision is typically needed for common tasks. Mild neurocognitive disorder, by contrast, involves a modest decline, and independence is preserved in daily life, though the person may require some extra effort or strategies. The other statements don’t fit: major isn’t without impairment and doesn’t allow full independence, etiologies aren’t limited to Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia, and the condition is not restricted to people under 50.