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Prospective and retrospective memory in normal ageing and dementia: a questionnaire study
G Smith1, S Della Sala, R H Logie
1Department of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, UK.
Memory (Hove, England)
|October 25, 2000
Summary
Alzheimer Disease patients report more memory failures than healthy adults. Prospective memory failures are more impactful for carers and may signal early disease stages.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Memory failures are common in daily life.
- Distinguishing between prospective and retrospective memory is crucial.
- Alzheimer Disease significantly impacts memory functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare prospective and retrospective memory failures across different groups.
- To investigate the impact of these failures on patients and carers.
- To identify potential early indicators of Alzheimer Disease.
Main Methods:
- A 16-item questionnaire assessed memory failure frequency.
- 862 volunteers participated across five groups: Alzheimer Disease patients (rated by carers), carers, elderly, young, and married couples.
- Carer ratings were validated for bias using data from married couples.
Main Results:
- Alzheimer Disease patients reported the highest memory failures; carers reported the lowest.
- Prospective memory failures were more frequent than retrospective ones in all groups.
- Prospective memory failures caused greater distress to carers and may serve as early disease indicators.
Conclusions:
- Normal aging affects prospective and retrospective memory similarly.
- Carers may underreport memory failures due to comparison with Alzheimer Disease patients.
- Prospective memory failures are significant early indicators of Alzheimer Disease for carers.