Final answer:
Dementia is a term describing symptoms of cognitive impairment, with varying presentations including memory loss and changes in judgment. Mild cognitive impairment is a less severe state often preceding dementia, but not all MCI cases lead to dementia. Risk factors and prevention strategies exist, such as dietary choices and cognitive rehabilitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of symptoms associated with cognitive impairment. These symptoms may include disruptive memory loss, confusion about time or place, difficulty with planning and executing tasks, poor judgment, personality changes, and more severe forms of cognitive disruption such as those found in Alzheimer's disease. While mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be considered a state between normal aging and dementia, not all instances of MCI will necessarily develop into dementia. However, factors such as environmental exposure to heavy metals and diet can affect the risk of progression. Cognitive rehabilitation and lifestyle interventions, like adhering to a Mediterranean diet, have been shown to potentially offset decline related to MCI or dementia.