Lifestyle Variables Do Not Predict Subjective Memory Performance Over and Above Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

The diagnostic value of subjective cognitive complaints for cognitive functioning in a clinical setting remains unresolved today. However, consensus exists on the relation between subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and mood variables such as anxiety and depression. Hence, SCC have also been discussed as potential proxies of psychopathology rather than representing cognitive functioning. In order to shed more light on yet still unexplained variance in subjective cognitive complaints, the relation between lifestyle variables (such as nutrition habits, exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, quality of sleep, and Body Mass Index) and subjective complaints of selective attention as well as subjective memory performance were assessed, additionally to the influence of objective memory performance, measures of anxiety, and depression. A sample of 877 (554 women) healthy, middle-aged individuals (51 years on average, age range 35-65) was assessed in the present study. In a logistic regression framework results revealed that the effect of lifestyle variables on subjective complaints of selective attention as well as subjective memory performance was rendered non-significant. Instead, subjective complaints of selective attention and subjective memory performance were significantly determined by measures of both, anxiety and depression. One unit increase in anxiety or depression led to an increase of 6 or 15% in subjective memory performance complaints, respectively. For subjective complaints of selective attention, a one unit increase in anxiety or depression led to an increase of 11 or 26%, respectively. The strong relation between SCC and measures of depression and anxiety corroborates the notion of SCC being indicative of mental health and general well-being.

Multidomain modifiable dementia risk factors are associated with poorer cognition in midlife.

“…Furthermore, responses of individuals with greater subjective cognitive concerns to MDRF questionnaires may be shaped by their cognitive concerns rather than reflecting their true answers or performance. Remote assessment platforms for research studies are increasingly being tested and used, and studies within the HBP (Bransby et al, 2022; Nicolazzo et al, 2021; Perin et al, 2022; Yassi et al, 2022) have shown comparable relationships to others that were conducted in clinic (Jonaitis et al, 2013; Mascherek et al, 2020; Tsapanou et al, 2019; Yaffe et al, 2020). However, additional studies are needed to further understand differences in the accuracy of data, if any, collected between remote and in-clinic assessments.…”

COVID-19-Related Anxiety and Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Examining Sex as a Moderator

“…Aging populations tend to demonstrate strong positive relationships between both state and trait anxiety and subjective cognitive performance. For instance, in a sample of middle-aged adults, greater trait anxiety (assessed via the German version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire [Glöckner-Rist & Rist, 2014]) was associated with more subjective complaints in attention and memory function (Mascherek et al, 2020). Another study in older adults showed that individuals with subjective memory complaints endorsed greater trait anxiety (assessed via the STAI; [Balash et al, 2013]).…”

Neuropsychological approach to subjective cognitive complaints in cognitively unimpaired older people: A systematic review

“…The subjective experience and manifestation of this failure take the form of complaints, one of the main reasons why older people consult their general practitioners 1 . The presence of cognitive complaints is considered one of the first symptoms of cognitive impairment 2 and is a necessary criterion for the diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment 3 or the Neurocognitive Disorders included in the DSM‐5 4 Although cognitive complaints are not always associated with these clinical conditions 5,6 and have been suggested to form part of the normal aging process, 7 recent research suggests that the presence of cognitive complaints is associated with psychosocial risk factors 8 such as symptoms of depression 7 and anxiety 9 . Furthermore, cognitive complaints may affect the daily occupational and social sphere 10 and become an important secondary stress factor.…”