Relationship between subjective memory complaints, objective memory performance, and depression among older adults

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

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2425 ◽

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.

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

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617708081332 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 1004-1013 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

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.)

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The moderating role of negative affect on objective verbal memory performance and subjective memory complaints in healthy older adults

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617708080363 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 14 (02) ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

MOIRA C. DUX ◽

JOHN L. WOODARD ◽

JOHN E. CALAMARI ◽

MICHAEL MESSINA ◽

SHALINI ARORA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Memory Complaints ◽

Moderating Role

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Effects of Smartphone-based Memory Training for Older Adults with Subjective Memory Complaints

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.2075 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S176-S176 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M.S. Shin ◽

S.J. Oh ◽

S. Seo ◽

J.H. Lee ◽

M.J. Song

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Memory Function ◽

Self Report ◽

Memory Training ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Memory Complaints

IntroductionBrain health has garnered increasing attention as a requisite condition for healthy aging. The rapid growth in mobile health and increasing smartphone ownership among older adults has paved the way for smartphones to be utilized as effective tools for improving mental fitness.ObjectivesThere are few studies that have explored the efficacy of smartphone-based cognitive training. The present study examined the memory-enhancing effects of smartphone-based memory training for older adults.AimsWe explored whether newly developed application “Smartphone-based brain Anti-aging and memory Reinforcement Training (SMART)” improved memory performance in older adults with subjective memory complaints.MethodsA total of 53 adults (mean age: 59.3 years) were randomised into either one of two smartphone-based intervention groups (SMART vs. Fit Brains®) or a wait-list group. Participants in the intervention groups underwent 15–20 minutes of training per day, five days per week for 8 weeks. We used objective cognitive measures to evaluate changes with respect to four domains: attention, memory, working memory (WM), and executive function (inhibition, fluency, etc.). In addition, we included self-report questionnaires to assess levels of subjective memory complaints.ResultsThe performance on WM test increased significantly in the SMART group (t[17] = 6.27, P < 0.0001) but not in the control groups. Self-reports of memory contentment, however, increased in the Fit Brains® group only (t[18] = 2.12, P = 0.048).ConclusionsUse of an 8-week smartphone-based memory training program may improve working memory function in older adults. However, objective improvement in performance does not necessarily lead to decreased subjective memory complaints.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Subjective Memory Complaints in healthy older adults: Fewer complaints associated with depression and perceived health, more complaints also associated with lower memory performance

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics ◽

10.1016/j.archger.2016.12.007 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 70 ◽

pp. 28-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Pedro Montejo Carrasco ◽

Mercedes Montenegro-Peña ◽

Ramón López-Higes ◽

Eduardo Estrada ◽

David Prada Crespo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Memory Complaints

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P4-287: Changes in the functional brain connectivity and verbal memory performance following yoga or memory training in older adults with subjective memory complaints

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1016/j.jalz.2015.08.117 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (7S_Part_19) ◽

pp. P896-P896

Author(s):

Helen Lavretsky ◽

Dharma Singh Khalsa ◽

Amber Leaver ◽

Harris Eyre ◽

Prabha Siddarth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Brain Connectivity ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Memory Training ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Functional Brain ◽

Memory Complaints

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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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