Episodic memory deficit in elderly adults with suspected delusional disorder

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuropsychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Delusional disorder can affect cognitive functions in elderly individuals.
• Memory impairments are a common concern in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate episodic memory functions in elderly adults with suspected delusional disorder (SDD).
• To compare memory performance between elderly individuals with and without SDD.

Main Methods:

• The study included 66 normal elderly subjects and 33 elderly subjects with SDD.
• Participants were matched for age, gender, and education.
• Episodic recall and recognition tasks were administered, alongside visuo-spatial and primary memory assessments.

Main Results:

• Subjects with SDD exhibited lower performance on episodic recall tasks compared to controls.
• No significant differences were found in episodic recognition, visuo-spatial, or primary memory tasks.
• Elderly adults with SDD effectively utilized cognitive support strategies for memory enhancement.

Conclusions:

• Elderly individuals with SDD may experience a mild episodic memory deficit, primarily affecting recall.
• Cognitive functions beyond episodic recall appear unaffected in this population.
• SDD in the elderly does not necessarily correlate with broader cognitive decline.