Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of MCI\* made by a neurologist (through history, physical exam and neuropsychological testing) 1. Memory complaint, corroborated by an informant 2. Abnormal memory function documented by memory testing \<1.5 standard deviation below normative controls (assessed with the Wechsler Memory scale IV\[114\], Logical Memory subtest, or an equivalent test) 3. Normal general cognitive function 4. Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) score of \>24 out of 30 5. No/minimal impairment in activities of daily living 6. Not sufficiently impaired, cognitively or functionally, to meet the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disease and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria for AD * 60-90 yo * Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR total score of 0.5, with at least 0.5 on memory subscale * No history of significant cerebrovascular disease based on Modified Hachinski score ≤ 4 * Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score ≤12 (to rule out depression as a contributing cause of cognitive decline) * Able and willing to attend weekly sessions and willing to participate in daily mindfulness assignments, up to 45 min/day * Agreeable to participate and to be randomized to either group * Fluent in English (since the treatment groups will be run in English) * Adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing * Good general health with no additional diseases expected to interfere with the study * MRI/CT scan within 24 months without indication of infection, infarction, or focal lesions. * Family member/close friend ("informant") able to corroborate participant's history of memory loss * Participants may take stable doses (stable for at least 4 weeks prior to screening) of certain medications including: * Antidepressants (except those with significant anticholinergic side effects such as tricyclic antidepressants). Patients cannot be currently depressed and or have a history of major depression within the past 2 years * Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine Exclusion Criteria: * Actively practicing meditation and/or yoga or have taken a meditation/yoga class in the last 6 months * Any major systemic illness or unstable medical condition which could lead to difficulty complying with the protocol, including the diagnosis of major depression * On psychoactive medications (antidepressants with anticholinergic effects, ie. tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, chronic anxiolytics, sedative hypnotics, other anticholinergics); participants may take stable doses (stable for at least 6 months) of low doses of psychoactive medicines (i.e. ≤ 1mg klonipin/day or ≤25mg Benadryl/day) * Psychotic features, agitation, or behavioral problems within the last 3 months which could lead to difficulty complying with the protocol * History of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence within the past 2 years * Any history of brain lesions or major head trauma * Participant unable/unwilling to follow the protocol or return for follow-up * Investigational agents prohibited at entry and for the duration of the trial * Participation in other clinical studies involving neuropsychological measures being collected more than one time per year * MRI exclusions: presence of pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body.