Retrospective Memory Complaints Research Articles

Self-reported memory of autistic young adults and associated real-world outcomes

PurposeAlthough autistic adults have demonstrated weaker memory performance on lab-based measures in comparison to neurotypical peers, research on self-reported memory abilities in this group is scarce. Shedding light on memory abilities of autistic adults is important, as memory difficulties may impact daily living outcomes, an area of difficulty for autistic individuals. Thus, the current study aimed to characterize the self-reported memory complaints of a large sample of autistic adults in comparison to neurotypical adults. MethodsThis study included data from 396 autistic young adults and 396 neurotypical young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 years and with similar background characteristics. Autistic adults were recruited from the Simons Powering Autism Research (SPARK) participant registry, and data from neurotypical adults were obtained from a large-scale internet study. The responses to the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire were compared by diagnostic group, and within the autistic group, relations between memory complaints and real-world outcomes (activities of daily living [ADLs] and postsecondary employment and educational activities) were examined. ResultsThe results indicated that young autistic adults reported greater memory problems than their neurotypical peers, regardless of memory type, and autistic adults reported a comparable pattern of complaints to their neurotypical peers (i.e., greater prospective memory complaints in comparison to retrospective memory complaints). Additionally, we found a negative association between memory complaints and outcomes (i.e., greater memory complaints were associated with less independence in ADLs and less favorable postsecondary outcomes). ConclusionThe significant association between subjective memory complaints and real-world outcomes suggests that memory abilities are an important contributor to daily living skills and post-secondary outcomes among autistic adults and could represent a target for future intervention development.

Prospective and retrospective memory complaints in early and late stages of amnestic mild cognitive impairment

AbstractBackgroundMemory complaints are a frequent phenomenon in elderly people. These subjective memory complaints are a cardinal feature of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) known as the first symptomatic stage of Alzheimer's disease. The objective of this study was to compare memory complaints and determine whether there were differences of types of memory complaints (i.e. prospective memory (PM) versus retrospective memory (RM) complaints) in early‐stage aMCI (EMCI) and late‐stage aMCI (LMCI).MethodOne‐hundred and twenty‐two aMCI subjects (mean age: 70.07 ± 8.54 years) were divided into EMCI (n = 72) and LMCI (n = 50) according to their Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes score. Memory complaints were assessed using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) consisting of 16 items that describe everyday memory failure of both PM and RM. All participants underwent clinical assessment and completed detailed neuropsychological tests. Group comparisons of types of memory complaints were assessed between EMCI and LMCI subjects.ResultLMCI subjects showed more subjective memory complaints based on PRMQ total sores than EMCI subjects. For types of memory complaints, LMCI group showed more RM complaints by PRMQ‐RM scores than EMCI group, but there were no differences of PM complaints between two groups. The results for PRMQ total scores and PRMQ‐RM scores remained significant after adjusting for age, education, and depressive symptoms.ConclusionLMCI showed more RM complaints than EMCI among subjective memory complaints. There might be differences in types of memory complaints according to disease stage of clinical spectrum of MCI. Therefore, more consideration for types of memory complaints might be needed in the clinical correlation of individuals with MCI.

White matter integrity and types of memory complaints in mild cognitive impairment

AbstractBackgroundMemory complaints are a frequent phenomenon in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, clinical significance for different types of memory complaints in MCI remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether white matter (WM) integrity would be affected due to different aspects of memory complaints (i.e., prospective memory (PM) versus retrospective memory (RM) complaints) in individuals with MCI.MethodThe study included a total of 73 participants (mean age: 69.37 ± 7.40 years) with MCI. Memory complaints were assessed using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) consisting of 16 items that describe everyday memory failure of both PM and RM. WM integrity was evaluated by anatomically defined regions of interest analysis using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The discrepancies regarding more PM or more RM complaints were assessed by the PM‐RM discrepancy scores (median = 1, range: −9–12) based on the PM and RM subscores of the PRMQ, and participants with more PM complaints (PRMQ‐PM score > PRMQ‐RM score) were compared to those with more RM complaints with regard to DTI‐derived WM fractional anisotropy (FA). The subjects with PM‐RM discrepancy scores of 0 or 1 were excluded from the group analyses.ResultMore PM complaints group (n = 34) had higher FA in the body of corpus callosum (p = 0.03), and a tendency to higher FA in the genu of corpus callosum (p = 0.08) and right entorhinal WM (p = 0.092) than more RM complaints group (n = 20).ConclusionRM complaints among subjective memory complaints might be associated with more alterations in WM integrity. This cross‐sectional study suggests that different types of memory complaints could affect WM microstructural alterations in individuals with MCI. To clarify our results, further investigations in larger samples are required.

Prospective and Retrospective Memory Complaints in HIV-Infected Individuals

Background and Purpose: Deficits of retrospective memory and prospective memory, which are two primary components of episodic memory, have been reported in prior studies in HIV-infected individuals. The present study aimed to further elucidate the characteristics of prospective and retrospective memory complaints in HIV-infected individuals.
 Materials and Methods: We recruited 50 HIV-uninfected individuals from the general community, and 67 HIV-infected people who were under the treatment of antiretroviral therapy in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Tehran, Iran in 2016. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to inspect the differences between HIV-infected and seronegative volunteers.
 Results: The results of ANOVA showed that HIV-infected individuals had more complaints of in long-delayed ProM (p=0.049), short-delayed RetM (p=0.016), and long-delayed RetM (p=0.009) than seronegative volunteers. No difference was observed in the complaints of short-delayed ProM between HIV-infected and the seronegative volunteers (p=0.921). The results of paired sample t-test also revealed that ProM complaints did not differ with RetM complaints among HIV-infected individuals (p=0.55), but ProM complaints were more frequent than RetM complaints among seronegative volunteers (p<0.001).
 Conclusion: Through understanding the characteristics of ProM/RetM complaints in HIV-infected individuals, we will be able to provide appropriate rehabilitation programs which correctly target their ProM/RetM deficits.

A-47 Self-reported Difficulties in Retrospective Memory Predict Poor Verbal Memory Performance

Abstract Objective Prospective and retrospective memory complaints are common among older adults with mixed results regarding their relationship with objective memory performance. This study investigated how subjective memory reports relate to objective memory function in a clinical sample. Method Participants (N = 139, Mage = 69.9, SD = 9.2) completed a cognitive screen at a university clinic. The assessment included the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (verbal memory), the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised (visual memory) and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, a subjective memory measure with higher scores indicating greater perceived difficulties. Correlations and linear regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between subjective and objective memory (a priori p-value = .01). Results Retrospective memory was correlated with immediate (r = -.35, p < .001) and delayed verbal memory (r = -.31, p < .001) but unrelated to visual memory (p > .05). Prospective memory was not correlated with performance on visual or verbal memory tasks (p > .05). Retrospective memory accounted for 12.3% of the variation in immediate (adjusted R2 = 11.6%; medium effect size), and 9.3% of the variation in delayed verbal memory (adjusted R2 = 8.6%; small effect size). Retrospective memory significantly predicted immediate [F(1, 132) = 18.48, p < .001, 95% CI = -1.04 to -0.38] and delayed verbal memory scores [F(1, 132) = 13.51, p < .001, 95% CI = -1.09 to -0.33]. Conclusions Subjective reports of retrospective memory may be a better indicator of objective verbal memory performance than prospective memory in a clinical sample of older adults.

Handedness, Grip Strength, and Memory Function: Considerations by Biological Sex.

Background and Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential independent and interactive effects of handedness and grip strength on episodic memory function, and whether biological sex moderated these relationships. Materials and Methods: 162 young adults (Mage = 20.7 years) completed a series of memory assessments including a subjective memory complaint evaluation and several objective measures of memory. Handedness (i.e., left-hand dominant, inconsistent handedness (ICH), and right-hand dominant) was evaluated using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Handgrip strength was determined from a handgrip dynamometer. Results: When compared to ICH individuals, retrospective memory scores were statistically significantly worse for left-handed (p = 0.02) and right-handed (p = 0.03) individuals. Higher grip strength was statistically significantly associated with fewer retrospective memory complaints (b = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.19, p = 0.04). Conclusions: The present study provides some suggestive evidence that ICH (inconsistent handedness) and greater grip strength are associated with fewer retrospective memory complaints. However, we did not observe any evidence of an interaction effect of handedness and grip strength on memory, and similarly, biological sex did not interact with these parameters to influence memory.

Self and Informant Memory Reports in FINGER: Associations with Two-Year Cognitive Change.

Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) may be the first sign of cognitive decline in aging. To examine whether SMCs reported by oneself and informant predict cognitive change over 2 years among at-risk elderly people, and to determine the relationship of different types of SMCs (prospective and retrospective memory complaints) and change in cognitive function. This investigation is part of the FINGER project, which is a multicenter randomized controlled trial aiming at preventing cognitive decline in cognitively healthy older adults with increased risk of dementia. A subsample of 303 control-group participants (aged 60-80 years) and their informants (n = 261) rated the frequency of SMCs, using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ). Cognitive performance was measured at baseline and at 1- and 2-year follow-up visits using a neuropsychological test battery. Participants who reported more SMCs improved less in global cognition, executive function, and memory during the subsequent 2 years in the fully-adjusted analyses. Self-reported retrospective memory problems predicted less improvement in all cognitive domains, whereas prospective memory problems did not. Informant-reported memory problems were not linked to subsequent change in cognition. Our results indicate that self-reported SMCs, measured with PRMQ, predict future cognitive change in several cognitive domains. By contrast, reports by informants were not linked to changes in cognition. Among cognitively healthy at-risk elderly individuals, the persons themselves observe more easily problems relevant for their future cognitive trajectories than their informants.

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

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).

Memory complaints in subjective cognitive impairment, amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.

Memory complaints are a frequent phenomenon in elderly individuals and can lead to opportunistic help-seeking behavior. The aim of this study was to compare different aspects of memory complaints (i.e., prospective versus retrospective complaints) in individuals with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study included a total of 115 participants (mean age: 68.82±8.83years) with SCI (n=34), aMCI (n=46), and mild AD (n=35). Memory complaints were assessed using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), which consists of 16 items that describe everyday memory failure of both prospective memory (PM) and retrospective memory (RM). For aMCI and AD subjects, informants also completed an informant-rating of the PRMQ. All participants completed detailed neuropsychological tests. Results show that PM complaints were equivalent among the three groups. However, RM complaints differed. Specifically, RM complaints in aMCI were higher than SCI, but similar to AD. Informant-reported memory complaints were higher for AD than aMCI. Our study suggests that RM complaints of memory complaints may be helpful in discriminating between SCI and aMCI, but both PM and RM complaints are of limited value in differentiating aMCI from AD.

Subjective memory complaints, depressive symptoms and instrumental activities of daily living in mild cognitive impairment.

The diagnostic relevance of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains to be unresolved. The aim of this study is to determine clinical correlates of SMCs in MCI. Furthermore, we examined whether there are the differences due to different aspects of complaints (i.e. prospective memory (PM) versus retrospective memory (RM) complaints). We examined the cross-sectional associations between SMCs and depressive symptoms, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and cognitive measures in sixty-six individuals with MCI (mean age: 65.7 ± 8.01 years). The criteria for MCI included SMCs, objective cognitive impairment, normal general cognitive function, largely intact functional activities, and absence of dementia. SMCs were assessed using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), which contains 16 items describing everyday memory failure of both PM and RM. SMC severity (i.e. PRMQ total score) was associated with stronger depressive symptoms and worse IADL performance. SMCs were not related to cognitive measures. For PM and RM subscores, both depressive symptoms and IADL were related to the PRMQ-PM and -RM scores. The main contributors to these PM and RM scores were depressive symptoms and IADL impairment, respectively. This study suggests that SMCs are more associated with depressive symptoms and IADL problems than with cognitive performance in individuals with MCI. Furthermore, while PM and RM complaints are related to both depressive symptoms and IADL, the differences between these main contributors suggest that RM complaints based on IADL could be more associated with the organically driven pathological features of MCI.

Memory Complaints and Prospective Memory Performance across the Lifespan

The frequency of prospective and retrospective memory failures from six age groups was gathered using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ). Objective performance measures were obtained with a laboratory prospective memory task. Findings revealed more prospective than retrospective memory complaints in all age groups except in young children. While overall reported memory failures were similar in the adult groups, fewer failures were reported for the two children groups. This might either be explained by a self-other rater bias or by the PRMQ not being well suited to assess memory failures of children. No correlations of complaints with performance measures were found in either age group except in older children for whom surprisingly more complaints were related to better performance.

The Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire: A population-based random sampling study

The Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) has been shown to have acceptable reliability and factorial, predictive, and concurrent validity. However, the PRMQ has never been administered to a probability sample survey representative of all ages in adulthood, nor have previous studies controlled for factors that are known to influence metamemory, such as affective status. Here, the PRMQ was applied in a survey adopting a probabilistic three-stage cluster sample representative of the population of São Paulo, Brazil, according to gender, age (20–80 years), and economic status (n=1042). After excluding participants who had conditions that impair memory (depression, anxiety, used psychotropics, and/or had neurological/psychiatric disorders), in the remaining 664 individuals we (a) used confirmatory factor analyses to test competing models of the latent structure of the PRMQ, and (b) studied effects of gender, age, schooling, and economic status on prospective and retrospective memory complaints. The model with the best fit confirmed the same tripartite structure (general memory factor and two orthogonal prospective and retrospective memory factors) previously reported. Women complained more of general memory slips, especially those in the first 5 years after menopause, and there were more complaints of prospective than retrospective memory, except in participants with lower family income.

Prospective and Retrospective Memory Complaints in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease

AbstractCurrent management attempts for Alzheimer's disease (AD) focus on the identification of individuals in the preclinical stage. This has led to the development of the diagnostic concept of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which applies to individuals with declining cognitive abilities but largely preserved everyday functioning. Previous findings indicate that prospective memory deficits are a sensitive marker of preclinical AD and that awareness of prospective memory failures is particularly high, based on its dependence on executive functions. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of subjective prospective versus retrospective memory complaints for an initial screening for MCI and their respective associations with executive functions. 71 healthy older adults, 27 MCI patients, and 9 patients with mild AD completed the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) and three executive functions tests. The healthy and the MCI group could not be distinguished by their level of subjective prospective or retrospective memory complaints, but the mild AD patients differed from the other groups by complaining more about retrospective than prospective memory failures. For the healthy older adults, the prospective memory complaints were correlated to an inhibition test, whereas they did not correlate with any of the executive function tests in the MCI patients. In contrast, in both groups the retrospective memory complaints were related to a task switching test. The findings are discussed with respect to differences between the three groups in cognitive abilities, attention to failures of, use of mnemonic aids for, and everyday demands of prospective and retrospective memory.