Subjective memory complaints predict baseline but not future cognitive function over three years: results from the Western Australia Memory Study

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

International Psychogeriatrics

ISSN

1741-203X

Volume

31

Issue

4

First Page

513

Last Page

525

PubMed ID

30277188

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

School

Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Care / School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

27895

Grant Number

NHMRC Number : 324100

Comments

Sohrabi, H. R., Weinborn, M., Laske, C., Bates, K. A., Christensen, D., Taddei, K., ... Martins, R. N. (2019). Subjective memory complaints predict baseline but not future cognitive function over three years: results from the Western Australia Memory Study. International Psychogeriatrics, 31(4), 513-525. Available here

Abstract

Background:

This study investigated the characteristics of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) and their association with current and future cognitive functions.

Methods:

A cohort of 209 community-dwelling individuals without dementia aged 47–90 years old was recruited for this 3-year study. Participants underwent neuropsychological and clinical assessments annually. Participants were divided into SMCs and non-memory complainers (NMCs) using a single question at baseline and a memory complaints questionnaire following baseline, to evaluate differential patterns of complaints. In addition, comprehensive assessment of memory complaints was undertaken to evaluate whether severity and consistency of complaints differentially predicted cognitive function.

Results:

SMC and NMC individuals were significantly different on various features of SMCs. Greater overall severity (but not consistency) of complaints was significantly associated with current and future cognitive functioning.

Conclusions:

SMC individuals present distinctive features of memory complaints as compared to NMCs. Further, the severity of complaints was a significant predictor of future cognition. However, SMC did not significantly predict change over time in this sample. These findings warrant further research into the specific features of SMCs that may portend subsequent neuropathological and cognitive changes when screening individuals at increased future risk of dementia.

DOI

10.1017/S1041610218001072

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