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

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.

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

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3290 ◽

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.

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Symptoms of Depression in a Large Healthy Population Cohort are related to Subjective Memory Complaints and Memory Performance in Negative Contexts

10.1101/101642 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Susanne Schweizer ◽

Rogier A. Kievit ◽

Tina Emery ◽

Richard N. Henson ◽

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

General Population ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Large Population ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Memory Complaints ◽

The Impact

AbstractDecades of research have investigated the impact of clinical depression on memory, which has revealed biases and in some cases impairments. However, little is understood about the effects of sub-clinical symptoms of depression on memory performance in the general population. Here we report the effects of symptoms of depression on memory problems in a large population-derived cohort (N = 2544), 87% of whom reported at least one symptom of depression. Specifically, we investigate the impact of depressive symptoms on subjective memory complaints, objective memory performance on a standard neuropsychological task and, in a subsample (n = 288), objective memory in affective contexts. There was a dissociation between subjective and objective memory performance, with depressive symptoms showing a robust relationship with self-reports of memory complaints, even after adjusting for age, gender, general cognitive ability and symptoms of anxiety, but not with performance on the standardised measure of verbal memory. Contrary to our expectations, hippocampal volume (assessed in a subsample, n = 592) did not account for significant variance in subjective memory, objective memory or depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, depressive symptoms were related to poorer memory for pictures presented in negative contexts, even after adjusting for memory for pictures in neutral contexts. Thus the symptoms of depression, associated with subjective memory complaints, appear better assessed by memory performance in affective contexts, rather than standardised memory measures. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the impact of depressive symptoms on memory functioning in the general population.

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Comparing the relationship between subjective memory complaints, objective memory performance, and medial temporal lobe volumes in patients with mild cognitive impairment

Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring ◽

10.1016/j.dadm.2015.03.002 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 242-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Courtney A. Fyock ◽

Benjamin M. Hampstead

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Temporal Lobe ◽

Medial Temporal Lobe ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Memory Complaints ◽

The Relationship

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P1-670: BRIDGING POSITIONS IN A SOCIAL NETWORK MODERATES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND EPISODIC MEMORY PERFORMANCE AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.682 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 14 (7S_Part_11) ◽

pp. P600-P600

Author(s):

Hairin Kim ◽

Seyul Kwak ◽

Jeanyung Chey ◽

Yoosik Youm ◽

Junsol Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

The Relationship

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

Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease ◽

10.14283/jpad.2020.61 ◽

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.

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

Journal of Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

10.1155/2014/176843 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

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.

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Symptoms of depression in a large healthy population cohort are related to subjective memory complaints and memory performance in negative contexts

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291717001519 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 104-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

S. Schweizer ◽

R. A. Kievit ◽

T. Emery ◽

R. N. Henson ◽

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

General Population ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Large Population ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Memory Complaints ◽

The Impact

BackgroundDecades of research have investigated the impact of clinical depression on memory, which has revealed biases and in some cases impairments. However, little is understood about the effects of subclinical symptoms of depression on memory performance in the general population.MethodsHere we report the effects of symptoms of depression on memory problems in a large population-derived cohort (N= 2544), 87% of whom reported at least one symptom of depression. Specifically, we investigate the impact of depressive symptoms on subjective memory complaints, objective memory performance on a standard neuropsychological task and, in a subsample (n= 288), objective memory in affective contexts.ResultsThere was a dissociation between subjective and objective memory performance, with depressive symptoms showing a robust relationship with self-reports of memory complaints, even after adjusting for age, sex, general cognitive ability and symptoms of anxiety, but not with performance on the standardised measure of verbal memory. Contrary to our expectations, hippocampal volume (assessed in a subsample,n= 592) did not account for significant variance in subjective memory, objective memory or depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, depressive symptoms were related to poorer memory for pictures presented in negative contexts, even after adjusting for memory for pictures in neutral contexts.ConclusionsThus the symptoms of depression, associated with subjective memory complaints, appear better assessed by memory performance in affective contexts, rather than standardised memory measures. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the impact of depressive symptoms on memory functioning in the general population.

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