[How to deal with memory complaints]

HOW TO DEAL WITH MEMORY COMPLAINTS. Memory complaint is a common condition in the general population and can indicate normal brain aging as well as incurable neurodegenerative disease or curable disorders. Therefore, the role of any primary care physician is crucial for the referral to further investigations. Furthermore, the pitfall of underdiagnosis, often related to the current incurability of the suspected cause, is contrary to all current guidelines. When facing a memory complaint, the primary care consultation has four objectives: to identify the possible red flags amongst the memory complaint and the memory complaint severity, to objectify a neurocognitive disorder associated with the memory complaint using cognitive tests, to search for associated signs, and to screen for obvious, frequent, and curable causes of memory complaint. The article is intended to be a practical tool aligned with the 2018 French multidisciplinary recommendations regarding the graded and personalized strategy for diagnosing neurocognitive disorders. It details the possibly worrisome elements to be collected in the history, the elements that need special attention or assessment, and finally, the course of action to be taken after a primary care consultation.