Abstract
The current study examined whether self-reported memory problems among cognitively intact older adults changed concurrently with, preceded, or followed depressive symptoms over time. Data were collected annually via in-person comprehensive medical and neuropsychological examinations as part of the Einstein Aging Study. Community-dwelling older adults in an urban, multi-ethnic area of New York City were interviewed. The current study included a total of 1,162 older adults (Mage = 77.65, SD = 5.03, 63.39% female; 74.12% White). Data were utilized from up to 11 annual waves per participant. Multilevel modeling tested concurrent and lagged associations between three types of memory self-report (frequency of memory problems, perceived one-year decline, and perceived ten-year decline) and depressive symptoms. Results showed that self-reported frequency of memory problems covaried with depressive symptoms only in participants who were older at baseline. Changes in perceived one-year and ten-year memory decline were related to changes in depressive symptoms across all ages. Depressive symptoms increased the likelihood of perceived ten-year memory decline the next year; however, perceived ten-year memory decline did not predict future depressive symptoms. Additionally, no significant temporal relationship was observed between depressive symptoms and self-reported frequency of memory problems or perceived one-year memory decline. Our findings highlight the importance of testing the unique associations of different types of self-reported memory problems with depressive symptoms.
Highlights
Given the insidious nature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), affected individuals often report memory changes in the years prior to diagnosis (GlodzikSobanska et al, 2007; Jessen et al, 2010), and these reports link to an increased risk of cognitive decline and AD many years later (Reid and Maclullich, 2006; Seo et al, 2017)
Results showed that self-reported frequency of memory problems covaried with depressive symptoms only in participants who were older at baseline
No significant temporal relationship was observed between depressive symptoms and self-reported frequency of memory problems or perceived one-year memory decline
Summary
Given the insidious nature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), affected individuals often report memory changes in the years prior to diagnosis (GlodzikSobanska et al, 2007; Jessen et al, 2010), and these reports link to an increased risk of cognitive decline and AD many years later (Reid and Maclullich, 2006; Seo et al, 2017). Reported memory problems are uncorroborated by objective testing (Fritsch et al, 2014; Gagnon et al, 1994; Jonker et al, 1996; Tobiansky et al, 1995), and other explanatory factors must be better understood to identify individuals at greatest risk for cognitive decline One such factor is depressive symptoms; the evidence examining links between depressive symptoms and perceived memory problems is mostly cross-sectional and cannot explain how this combination occurs over time (see Hill et al, 2016 for a review). The perception that they have memory problems may lead to worry, including concerns that they will continue to experience problems without improvement, problems will negatively impact their daily life, and problems indicate cognitive decline and possible AD development (Buckley et al, 2015) These assumptions in turn feed feelings of hopelessness about the future, leading to depressive symptoms. In line with this, Crane et al (2007) found that the association between self-reported memory problems and depressive symptoms was mediated by negative cognitive biases such as hopelessness and low self-esteem, suggesting that in some older adults, the perception of memory problems precedes depressive symptoms due to negative cognitive biases
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