Longitudinal Assessment of Self- and Informant-Subjective Cognitive Complaints in a Sample of Healthy Late-Middle Aged Adults Enriched with a Family History of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal trajectory of self- and informant-subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), and to determine if SCC predict longitudinal changes in objective measures (OM) of cognitive function. Methods The study included healthy and cognitively normal late middle-aged adults enriched with a family history of AD who were evaluated at up to three visits over a 4-year period. At each visit (Visit 1–3), self- and informant-SCC and OM were evaluated. Linear mixed models were used to determine if the longitudinal rate of change of self- and informant-SCC were associated with demographic variables, depressive symptoms, family history (FH), and apolipoprotein epsilon 4 (APOE4) status. The same modeling approach was used to examine the effect of Visit 1 SCC on longitudinal cognitive change after controlling for the same variables. Results At Visit 1, more self-SCC were associated with fewer years of education and more depressive symptoms. SCC were also associated with poorer performance on cognitive measures, such that more self-SCC at Visit 1 were associated with poorer performance on memory and executive functioning measures at Visit 1, while more informant-SCC were associated with faster rate of longitudinal decline on a measure of episodic learning and memory. FH and APOE4 status were not associated with SCC. Discussion Self- and informant-SCC showed an association with OM, albeit over different time frames in our late middle-aged sample. Additional longitudinal follow-up will likely assist in further clarifying these relationships as our sample ages and more pronounced cognitive changes eventually emerge.

The characterisation of subjective cognitive decline

“…This sequence has been reported to occur even before individuals reach the stage of MCI. 31,32 We propose two additional SCD plus features that were not part of the original SCD plus criteria. 4 The first is consistent SCD over time (as opposed to SCD on sporadic occasions or over limited time periods).…”

“…• Subjective decline in memory irrespective of function in other cognitive domains 5,14 • Onset of SCD within the past 5 years 24,25 • Onset of SCD at 60 years and older 4 • Concern (worry) associated with SCD 14,26 • Persistence of SCD over time 23,27,28 * • Seeking of medical help 6,29 * • Confirmation of cognitive decline by an observer 30,31,32 *Not part of the original SCD plus features. 4 SCD=subjective cognitive decline.…”

Self- and Informant-Reported Memory Complaints: Frequency and Severity in Cognitively Intact Individuals and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegenerative Dementias

“…In contrast, informant-rated memory abilities were significantly associated with delayed memory performance on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and both amygdalar and hippocampal volume. Informant-reported complaints, but not self-reported complaints, have also been associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline in individuals with a genetic predisposition to, and family history of, AD [23]. Neither informant-rated nor self-rated complaints alone predict longitudinal cognitive performance in those with MCI; however, a mutual complaint (agreed upon by both the patient and informant) was associated with faster decline in global cognition, verbal episodic memory, language, and processing speed [24].…”

Learning to play golf for elderly people with subjective memory complaints: feasibility of a single‐blinded randomized pilot trial

“…People with SMC were diagnosed according to guidelines published in [ 39 ]. There is some evidence that self-reported SMC can predict future cognitive decline [ 61 ], but findings are controversial [ 62 ]. Thus, it remains unclear if the study population is relevant for AD or if SMC had other etiologies.…”