Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies have shown that subjective memory is multi-, rather than uni-dimensional, in line with the results of objective memory tests. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between aspects of memory measured by the subjective Meta-Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) and aspects of memory measured by the objective Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) tests in cognitively normal older adults.MethodThe study subjects (n = 106) were cognitively normal, were aged 57–89 years and had participated in the third wave of the North-Trøndelag Health survey (HUNT3). All subjects had completed the MMQ, the WMS-III and the WAIS-III. Previous results from the MMQ (measured as the total MMQ score; the Component I score, related to long-term explicit declarative memory; and the Component II score, related to working/short-term memory) were compared with objective results from WMS-III (Logical Memory) and WAIS-III (Vocabulary and Letter-Number Sequencing) subtests. We conducted linear regression analyses with each objective memory test result as the dependent variable, and subjective memory measures and demographics as independent variables, as well as analyses of MMQ items vs. objective memory.ResultsSubjective working memory impairment (Component II) was significant related to poor performance in objective episodic memory, according to correlation and regression analyses with demographic covariates. In contrast, ratings of impaired subjective declarative memory (Component I) were not related to poor objective memory performance.ConclusionsSpecific aspects of subjective memory related differentially to performance in specific objective memory tests. Clinicians and researchers might consider targeting working memory aspects of subjective memory tests, when seeking an estimate of objective memory performance.
Highlights
Recent studies have shown that subjective memory is multi, rather than uni-dimensional, in line with the results of objective memory tests
Memory complaints may be a preclinical sign of dementia in individuals with verified cognitive decline and memory impairment, exemplified by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) [10]
We investigated the relationships between subjective memory performance, expressed as the total score, the component scores and scores on single items of the Memory Questionnaire (MMQ), and performance on objective memory tests in a sample of cognitively normal older adults, while considering the effects of demographics as covariates, because it is wellknown they are important factors for cognition in general and for memory in particular
Summary
Recent studies have shown that subjective memory is multi-, rather than uni-dimensional, in line with the results of objective memory tests. Previous research has demonstrated that the relationship between subjective memory test results and objective memory performance is complex and unclear [7]. Memory complaints may be a preclinical sign of dementia in individuals with verified cognitive decline and memory impairment, exemplified by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) [10]. Many of those with clinically diagnosed dementia and objective memory impairment do not complain of memory loss, presumably because they lack insight into their serious impairment [11, 12].
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