Associations between Prospective and Retrospective Subjective Memory Complaints and Neuropsychological Performance in Older Adults: The Finger Study.

Tuomo Hänninen,Jaakko Tuomilehto,Tiia Ngandu,Hilkka Soininen,Laura Hokkanen,Timo Strandberg,Lars Bäckman,Riitta Antikainen,Anna Stigsdotter-Neely,Laura Vaskivuo,Tiina Laatikainen,Miia Kivipelto,Teemu Paajanen

doi:10.1017/s135561771800053x

Abstract

Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are among the key concerns in the elderly, but their role in detecting objective cognitive problems is unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between SMCs (both prospective and retrospective memory complaints) and neuropsychological test performance in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. This investigation is part of the FINGER project, a multicenter randomized controlled trial aiming at preventing cognitive decline in high-risk individuals. The cognitive assessment of participants was conducted at baseline using a modified neuropsychological test battery (NTB). SMCs were evaluated with the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) in a sub-sample of 560 participants (mean age, 69.9 years). Having more prospective SMCs was associated with slower processing speed, but not with other NTB domains. Retrospective SMCs were linked to poorer function on NTB total score, processing speed, and memory. Executive function domain was not associated with any PRMQ ratings. Depressive symptoms and poor quality of life diluted the observed associations for NTB total score and memory. However, the association between PRMQ and processing speed remained even after full adjustments. Our results indicate that self-reported memory problems, measured with PRMQ, are associated with objectively measured cognitive performance. Such complaints in healthy elderly people also seem to reflect reduced mental tempo, rather than memory deficits. Slowing of processing speed may thus be negatively related to memory self-efficacy. It is also important to consider affective factors among those who report memory problems. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1099-1109).

Highlights

Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are usual concerns expressed by old people, but not all complainers have deficits on objective cognitive testing
The aim of this study is to examine the association between different types of SMCs (PM and retrospective memory (RM)) and neuropsychological test performance in different cognitive functions in older adults at risk of cognitive decline
PM task (PMT) results are based on logistic regression models, all other data are based on linear regressions

Summary

Introduction

Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are usual concerns expressed by old people, but not all complainers have deficits on objective cognitive testing. SMCs are highly prevalent among older persons and their prevalence increases with age (Iliffe & Pealing, 2010). Helsinki University Library, on 18 Feb 2020 at 09:49:04, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. With the aging of populations the number of persons with dementia will increase rapidly (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2015). The relationship between SMCs and objective cognitive performance is pivotal in the early detection of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and in identifying people for early preventive interventions and disease-modifying therapies

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