scholarly journals Depression Complicates the Relationship Between Subjective Memory Complaints and Memory in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 892-892
Author(s):  
Kristi Wisniewski ◽  
Eun Young Choi ◽  
Christopher Beam ◽  
Elizabeth Zelinski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Parameter Estimate ◽  
Geriatric Depression ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaints ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are self-reported changes in memory performance and may indicate prospective dementia. Cognitive function and depressive symptoms are negatively correlated; however, depression’s influence on the relationship between SMCs and cognition is unclear. Data were drawn from the Long Beach Longitudinal Study, a three-panel study of community-dwelling older adults from southern California who were assessed every three years. The present study included participants ages 54-89 who completed a 20-item immediate recall task at each wave and the Memory Functioning Questionnaire Frequency of Forgetting (FOF) subscale, a measure of SMC, on 2+ occasions from 1994-2014 (n=788; Mage=73 years at baseline, Meduc=15 years). Higher FOF scores indicated fewer memory complaints. Depression was measured as the average Geriatric Depression Scale score across occasions. Bivariate linear latent growth models over age adjusted for age, sex, and education (covariates associated with cognition). The SMC and recall slopes were positively correlated (parameter estimate=1.40; p<0.05). After controlling for depression, the slope-slope correlation was not significant (parameter estimate=0.83; p=0.127). However, after removing cognitively-relevant items from the Geriatric Depression Scale then adjusting for depression, the SMC slope-recall slope correlation trended toward significance (parameter estimate=0.99; p=0.070) suggesting that the cognitively relevant items were confounding the slope-slope correlation. These findings indicate that depression impacts the relationship between SMC and objective memory over age; therefore, depression may limit the clinical utility of SMCs as a cognitive screening measure. Future studies should assess depression using scales devoid of cognitive items to differentiate its influence on subjective and objective memory performance.

scholarly journals SUBJECTIVE MEMORY COMPLAINTS AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE: THE MODERATING ROLE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S654-S654
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaints ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Cognitive health is a rising public health concern in the U.S. Currently, approximately 5.7 million older adults suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and by the year 2050 this number is expected to increase to 14 million. Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are shown to be an early indicator of cognitive decline, and accordingly included as a clinical criterion for diagnoses of MCI, an indicator of pre-dementia states, and a research criterion for AD diagnoses. Among older adults, depressive symptoms hinder the accuracy of memory self-ratings. However, there has yet to be consensus regarding the nature of how depressive symptoms may condition the relationship between SMC and cognitive performance. The aims of the present study are to both investigate whether SMC is related to episodic memory and to determine whether depressive symptoms act as a moderator for the relationship between SMC and episodic memory among older adults. This research used nationally representative sample of 8,123 older adults aged 65 and older who completed the Leave Behind Questionnaire in the 2012 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Linear regression was performed and results showed that there was a significant main effect of SMC on episodic memory performance, in that older adults with increased SMC have worse episodic memory. There was also a significant moderating effect of depressive symptoms, in that depressive symptoms cause older adults to underestimate their memory abilities. In order to use SMC as a tool for early detection efforts it is critical to understand these complex relationships.

Executive Function Predicts the Validity of Subjective Memory Complaints in Older Adults beyond Demographic, Emotional, and Clinical Factors

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
R.-Y. Chao ◽  
T.-F. Chen ◽  
Y.-L. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Group Membership ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Old Adults ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Memory Complaints

Background: Although evidence suggests that subjective memory complaints (SMCs) could be a risk factor for dementia, the relationship between SMCs and objective memory performance remains controversial. Old adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may represent a highly heterogeneous group, based partly on the demonstrated variability in the level of executive function among those individuals. It is reasonable to speculate that the accuracy of the memory-monitoring ability could be affected by the level of executive function in old adults. Objective: This study investigated the effects of executive function level on the consistency between SMCs and objective memory performance while simultaneously considering demographic and clinical variables in nondemented older adults. Setting: Participants were recruited from both the memory clinics and local communities. Participants: Participants comprised 65 cognitively normal (CN) older adults and 54 patients with MCI. Measurements: Discrepancy scores between subjective memory evaluation and objective memory performance were calculated to determine the degree and directionality of the concordance between subjective and objective measures. Demographic, emotional, genetic, and clinical information as well as several executive function measurements were collected. Results: The CN and MCI groups exhibited similar degrees of SMC; however, the patients with MCI were more likely to overestimate their objective memory ability, whereas the CN adults were more likely to underestimate their objective memory ability. The results also revealed that symptoms of depression, group membership, and the executive function level together predicted the discrepancy between the subjective and objective measures of memory function; however, the executive function level retained its unique predictive ability even after the symptoms of depression, group membership, and other factors were controlled for. Conclusion: Although both noncognitive and cognitive factors were necessary for consideration, the level of executive function may play a unique role in understanding the equivocal relationship of the concurrence between subjective complaints and objective function measures. Through a comprehensive evaluation, high-risk individuals (i.e., CN individuals heightened self-awareness of memory changes) may possibly be identified or provided with the necessary intervention during stages at which objective cognitive impairment remains clinically unapparent.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Cognitive Bases of Subjective Memory Complaints in Older Adults: Evidence from a Community Sample

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Fritsch ◽  
McKee J. McClendon ◽  
Maggie S. Wallendal ◽  
Trevor F. Hyde ◽  
Janet D. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Memory Complaints ◽  
Younger Age

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) in a sample of community-dwelling, older adults and to examine cognitive bases of these complaints. Participants. 499 community-dwelling adults, 65 and older. Measurements. A telephone survey consisting of cognitive tests and clinical and sociodemographic variables. SMCs were based on subjects' evaluations and subjects' perceptions of others' evaluations. Analysis. Logistic regression was used to model the risk for SMCs as a function of the cognitive, clinical, and sociodemographic variables. We tested for interactions of the cognitive variables with age, education, and gender. Results. 27.1% reported memory complaints. Among the younger age, better objective memory performance predicted lower risk for SMCs, while among the older age, better memory had no effect on risk. Among the better-educated people, better global cognitive functioning predicted lower risk for SMCs, while among the less-educated people, better global cognitive functioning had no effect on SMC risk. When predicting others' perceptions, better objective memory was associated with lower risk for SMCs. Conclusion. Objective memory performance and global cognitive functioning are associated with lower risk for SMCs, but these relationships are the strongest for the younger age and those with more education, respectively. Age and education may affect the ability to accurately appraise cognitive functioning.

scholarly journals Memory Complaints Associated with Seeking Clinical Care

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Pires ◽  
Dina Silva ◽  
João Maroco ◽  
Sandra Ginó ◽  
Tiago Mendes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaints

Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment relies on the presence of memory complaints. However, memory complaints are very frequent in healthy people. The objective of this study was to determine the severity and type of memory difficulties presented by elderly patients who seek for clinical help, as compared to the memory difficulties reported by subjects in the community. Assessment of subjective memory complaints was done with the subjective memory complaints scale (SMC). The mini-mental state examination was used for general cognitive evaluation and the geriatric depression scale for the assessment of depressive symptoms. Eight-hundred and seventy-one nondemented subjects older than 50 years were included. Participants in the clinical setting had a higher total SMC score (10.3±4.2) than those in the community (5.1±3.0). Item 3 of the SMC,Do you ever forget names of family members or friends?contributed significantly more to the variance of the total SMC score in the clinical sample (18%) as compared to the community sample (11%). Forgetting names of family members or friends plays an important role in subjective memory complaints in the clinical setting. This symptom is possibly perceived as particularly worrisome and likely drives people to seek for clinical help.

scholarly journals Subjective memory complaints and concurrent memory performance in older patients of primary care providers

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1004-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
BETH E. SNITZ ◽  
LISA A. MORROW ◽  
ERIC G. RODRIGUEZ ◽  
KIMBERLY A. HUBER ◽  
JUDITH A. SAXTON
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaints ◽  
Contrast Perception

AbstractSubjective memory complaints (SMCs) are known to be inconsistently related to current memory impairment in older adults but this association has not been well investigated in primary care provider (PCP) settings. To characterize the complexity of the relationship between SMCs and objective memory in older outpatients of PCPs, we collected neuropsychological, subjective memory, depression and medical chart data from outpatients aged 65 and older, without documented dementia diagnoses, in eleven PCP offices in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Results indicated that self-estimates of current memory ability were most strongly associated with objective memory performance; in contrast, perception of worsening memory over the past year showed no association; and specific memory-related activities were only weakly associated. Women were more likely than men to show inconsistency between SMCs and objective memory performance. Only two of the 11 most significantly memory-impaired participants endorsed SMCs and only four had PCP chart documentation of memory problems. Eliciting SMCs in non-demented older adults can be of clinical value in a PCP setting, but significant limitations of patient self-report in more memory-impaired patients underscore the need to develop brief, objective indicators of memory impairment for PCP office use when there is suspicion of decline. (JINS, 2008,14, 1004–1013.)

Absence of a relationship between subjective memory complaint and objective memory impairment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI): is it time to abandon subjective memory complaint as an MCI diagnostic criterion?

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1505-1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Elizabeth Lenehan ◽  
Shannon Zofia Klekociuk ◽  
Mathew James Summers
Keyword(s):  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaint ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaint ◽  
Memory Complaints ◽  
Diagnostic Criterion ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTBackground:Subjective memory complaints are a requirement in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as they are thought to indicate a decline in objective memory performance. However, recent research suggests that the relationship between subjective memory complaint and objective memory impairment is less clear. Thus, it is possible that many people without subjective memory complaints who develop Alzheimer's disease are precluded from a diagnosis of MCI.Methods:The present study examined the relationship between subjective memory complaint assessed using the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) and objective memory impairment assessed using standard neuropsychological measures in cases of amnestic MCI (n= 48), non-amnestic MCI (n= 27), and unimpaired healthy participants (n= 64).Results:Correlational and regression analyses indicated that subjective memory complaints displayed a poor relationship with objective memory performance. A subsequent discriminant function analysis indicated that subjective memory complaints failed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of MCI and resulted in increased rates of false negative and false positive diagnoses.Conclusion:The results of the present study suggest that a diagnostic criterion of subjective memory complaint reduces the accuracy of MCI diagnosis, resulting in an elevated rate of false positive and false negative diagnoses. The results of this study in conjunction with recent research indicate that a criterion of subjective memory complaint should be discarded from emerging diagnostic criteria for MCI.

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