According to a report published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society complaints regarding memory lapses in older individuals, such as finding it difficult to remember recent events, may indicate that they are experiencing cognitive problems that are higher than typical age-related changes. The study reveals that primary care physicians, who are usually the first to see patients who are concerned about their memory, should be aware that these types of complaints may indicate something serious and should call for a further cognitive assessment.

In the next twenty years, the number of U.S. adults who are aged 65 and over is projected to almost double, and the frequency of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are also predicted to rise. Because of this, physicians are including cognitive screening tests as part of annual wellness visits for older individuals, and investigators are searching for simple methods to identify older people who may benefit from further cognitive assessments.

Researchers telephone 16,964 older women (mean age of 74 years) and asked them seven questions related to complaints regarding memory, followed by various questions that evaluated cognitive function, in order to determine whether memory complaints might be associated with potentially serious problems related to memory and thinking.

They discovered that overall, cognitive functioning was worse in those who had more memory complaints. However not all complaints are related to cognitive decline. For example, a “yes” answer to the question “Do you have much more trouble remembering things from one second to the next?” did not relate to cognitive impairment but was linked with normal aging. By contrast, a “yes” to the question “Do you have trouble finding your way around familiar streets?” was highly connected with cognitive impairment.

Dr. Rebecca Amariglio of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, one of the investigation authors, explained:

“These findings suggest that clinicians may need to differentiate between the types of memory complaints their patients have, as some are likely due to normal aging whereas others are worrisome for possible cognitive decline.”

This will be particularly important as the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases and therapies for the disease become available.

Written by Grace Rattue