Metamemory Functioning in People With Dementia in the Brazilian Context

Metamemory is the ability to monitor and control one's own memory. The objective of our study was to investigate the estimated and actual performance of metamemory in older adults with dementia compared with healthy older controls. In addition, we examined whether cognition, awareness, neuropsychiatric symptoms, functionality, and executive functions influence metamemory functioning.

We conducted a cross-sectional evaluation of 126 participants. Memory and metamemory were assessed in each group and compared using a memory test combined with a prediction task administered before and after exposure to the scale.

Individuals with dementia presented impaired metamemory functioning in both short- and long-term memory evaluations. There was a general disconnect between perceived and actual performance across both groups, albeit to a lesser extent in the control group. In the control group, we found impaired metamemory when evaluating short-term memory. However, no alterations in metamemory were observed regarding long-term memory after this group had been exposed to the task. Regression analysis revealed that only awareness influenced metamemory when associated with short-term memory.

Individuals with dementia tend to present impaired metamemory functioning, and awareness of disease appears to be a factor that can influence this impairment.