Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
13.8K
No clear associations between subjective memory concerns and subsequent change in cognitive function: the PATH
Ying Xu1,2, Jane Warwick3, Ranmalee Eramudugolla1,2
1Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Margarete Ainsworth Building, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia.
European Journal of Ageing
|December 12, 2022
Summary
Subjective memory concerns (SMC) may signal current cognitive issues but do not consistently predict future cognitive decline in older adults. This study found no increased risk of future decline associated with SMC in an Australian cohort.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Subjective memory concerns (SMC) literature shows varied results regarding prediction of cognitive decline.
- Recent research highlights complexity due to the fluctuating nature of SMC (remitting vs. sustained).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between subjective memory concerns (SMC) and objectively measured cognitive function.
- To examine if different patterns of SMC (remitting, new-onset, sustained) predict cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- Utilized four waves of data from 1236 Australian adults (aged ~62 years) over 16 years.
- Categorized participants based on reported memory problems interfering with daily life or medical consultation.
- Assessed cognition using a neuropsychological battery measuring recall, working memory, processing speed, and attention.
Main Results:
- 18% of participants reported SMC: 6% remitting, 6% new-onset, 6% sustained.
- No consistent evidence linked SMC to subsequent cognitive decline.
- SMC was associated with poorer performance on attention and processing speed tasks concurrently.
Conclusions:
- Subjective memory concerns may reflect current cognitive function rather than predict future decline.
- In this cohort, SMC did not indicate an elevated risk for future cognitive deterioration.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
201
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
201
01:14Autobiographical Memory
5.8K
Autobiographical memory is a unique type of episodic memory that involves recollecting personal life experiences. It allows individuals to remember significant events from their past, creating a narrative of their lives. One interesting phenomenon related to autobiographical memory is the reminiscence bump. This effect refers to the tendency of adults to recall more events from their second and third decades of life — typically between ages 10 to 30 — than from other periods. This...
5.8K
01:30Information Processing Approach
98
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
98
01:26Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
931
Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or...
931
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
611
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
611
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
550
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
550