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Do subjective memory complaints predict senile Alzheimer dementia?
Susanne Jungwirth1, Sonja Zehetmayer, Silvia Weissgram
1Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Aging Research, Vienna, Austria. Susanne.Jungwirth@wienkav.at
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|March 12, 2008
Summary
Subjective memory complaints may predict Alzheimer dementia (AD) in older adults with high Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Memory testing is recommended for those with memory concerns, regardless of screening results.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Subjective memory complaints are common in the elderly.
- Objective memory impairment precedes Alzheimer dementia (AD).
- The predictive value of subjective memory complaints for AD is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if subjective memory complaints predict incident Alzheimer dementia (AD).
- To analyze the predictive value of memory complaints in different cognitive strata.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 75-year-old non-demented Viennese inhabitants.
- Follow-up for 30 months to assess conversion to AD.
- Analysis of subjective memory complaints and verbal memory test performance in relation to MMSE scores.
Main Results:
- Subjective memory complaints were associated with incident AD in univariate analyses among subjects with high MMSE scores (28-30).
- Verbal memory test performance was the main predictor of AD in multivariate analyses for both high and low MMSE score groups (23-27).
Conclusions:
- Memory testing should be considered for individuals reporting memory complaints, irrespective of their performance on screening tools like the MMSE.
- Subjective memory complaints may serve as an early indicator for AD, particularly in cognitively high-functioning individuals.
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