Screening for early dementia using memory complaints from patients and relatives

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuropsychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Subjective memory complaints are common in the elderly.
• Distinguishing between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia is crucial.
• The role of subjective memory assessment in diagnosing cognitive decline needs further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if subjective memory complaints differentiate healthy elderly from those with memory issues.
• To investigate if memory complaints differ between patients with and without dementia.
• To explore the relationship between subjective memory, objective memory performance, and depression.

Main Methods:

• A new memory questionnaire was administered to elderly subjects and their relatives.
• Self-assessment and relative's responses were compared between healthy controls and patient groups.
• Factor analysis and discriminant function analyses were used to evaluate the data.

Main Results:

• Both self- and relative-reported memory complaints distinguished patient groups from controls.
• Relatives' ratings of memory decline over time identified individuals with dementia.
• Patient complaints correlated with depression, while relatives' ratings correlated with objective memory performance.

Conclusions:

• Subjective memory complaints, especially when reported by relatives, can aid in identifying dementia.
• Objective memory testing enhances diagnostic specificity when combined with subjective reports.
• Depression influences self-reported memory complaints, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment.