Subjective memory complaints predict baseline but not future cognitive function over three years: results from the Western Australia Memory Study
Authors
Hamid R. Sohrabi, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Michael Weinborn, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Christoph Laske
Kristyn A. Bates
Daniel Christensen
Kevin Taddei, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Belinda M. Brown, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Samantha L. Gardener, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Simon M. Laws, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Georgia Martins, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Samantha C. Burnham
Romola S. Bucks
Barry Reisberg
Nicola T. Lautenschlager
Jonathan Foster
Ralph N. Martins, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Author Identifier
Hamid Reza Sohrabi
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8017-8682
Michael Weinborn
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7094-9930
Kevin Taddei
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8106-7957
Belinda Brown
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-2540
Samantha L Gardener
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1933-5260
Simon Laws
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4355-7082
Ralph Martins
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
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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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