Self-appraised, informant-reported, and objective memory and cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Limited understanding of self-appraised memory and cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
• Need to correlate subjective reports with objective measures and informant feedback in MCI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between self-appraised memory/cognitive function and informant reports/neuropsychological performance in MCI.
• To explore awareness of cognitive deficits in individuals with MCI.

Main Methods:

• Compared 69 MCI subjects and 86 normal cognition (NC) adults.
• Utilized Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire for self-appraisal.
• Employed Mini-Mental State Examination, Fuld Object Memory Evaluation, Digit Span, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test for objective performance.
• Gathered informant ratings using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly.

Main Results:

• Self-appraised memory satisfaction and ability did not correlate with informant reports or neuropsychological tests in MCI.
• Self-reported use of memory strategies correlated with list recall and everyday memory tests in MCI.
• No significant differences in age or education between MCI and NC groups.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with MCI may exhibit reduced awareness of their cognitive impairments.
• Informant reports and neuropsychological tests suggest subtle deficits not always reflected in self-appraisal.
• Self-reported strategy use offers a potential partial insight into memory function in MCI.