Subjective Memory Problems In The Elderly

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Contents 1 Etiology 2 Clinical-manifestations 3 Diagnostic-procedures 4 Clinical-trials 5 Complications 6 Management 7 More General Terms 8 Additional Terms 9 References

Etiology

• awareness of memory loss is increased in patients with dysthymia & anxiety [3]

Clinical-manifestations

• many older adults with self-reported memory loss do well on routine memory tests & further neuropsychologic testing

Diagnostic-procedures

• neuropsychologic testing not routinely indicated [5]

Clinical-trials

• Wang et al [1]

• 1883 patients age >64, median age 75
• not demented at start of trial
• followup of 5 years [1]
• results:

• 126 patients (6.7%) developed dementia by DSM IV criteria
• 15% of patients with subjective memory impairment at baseline developed dementia
• 6% of patients without subjective memory impairment at baseline developed dementia
• 144 patients (7.6%) died or discontinued trial

Complications

• subjective memory impairment predicts development of dementia [1,4]

• general change in ability to remember things
• trouble remembering short lists
• trouble remembering recent events
• difficulty understanding instructions (learning & executive function)
• trouble following a group conversation or a TV program's plot ( attention deficit)
• trouble finding one's way around familiar streets ( executive function)

Management

• cognitive training has little impact on ADLs [2]

More General Terms

• geriatrics

Additional Terms

• elderly (senior citizen)
• memory impairment
• neuropsychiatric features of aging
• subjective

References

1. Journal Watch 25(3):29, 2005 Wang L, van Belle G, Crane PK, Kukull WA, Bowen JD, McCormick WC, Larson EB. Subjective memory deterioration and future dementia in people aged 65 and older. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Dec;52(12):2045-51. PMID: [1]
2. Willis SL et al for the ACTIVE Study Group Long-term effects of daily cognitive training on everyday functional outcomes in older adults JAMA 2006, 296:2805 PMID: [2]
   - Shumaker SA et al, Behavior-based interventions to enhance cognitive functioning and independence in older adults. JAMA 2006, 296:2852 PMID: [3]
3. Iliffe S, Pealing L. Subjective memory problems. BMJ 2010; 340:c1425 PMID: [4]
4. Amariglio RE et al. Specific subjective memory complaints in older persons may indicate poor cognitive function. J Am Geriatr Soc 2011 Sep; 59:1612. <PubMed> PMID: [5] <Internet> [6]
5. Geriatric Review Syllabus, 7th edition Parada JT et al (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2010

subjective memory problems in the elderly