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. 2017 Dec;13(12):1337-1344.
doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.04.008. Epub 2017 Jun 3.

Objective features of subjective cognitive decline in a United States national database

Stephanie Kielb  1 , Emily Rogalski  2 , Sandra Weintraub  3 , Alfred Rademaker  4
Affiliations

Objective features of subjective cognitive decline in a United States national database

Stephanie Kielb et al. Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Functional and cognitive features of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) were identified in a longitudinal database from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center.

Methods: Cognitively normal older adults with (SCD+) and without (SCD-) self-reported memory complaints (N = 3915) were compared on (1) baseline Functional Assessment Questionnaire ratings, (2) baseline scores and longitudinal rate of change estimates from nine neuropsychological tests, and (3) final clinical diagnoses.

Results: SCD+ had higher baseline ratings of functional impairment, reduced episodic memory practice effects and poorer performance on neuropsychological tests of psychomotor speed and language, and higher frequencies of mild cognitive impairment and dementia diagnoses at the end of follow-up compared with the SCD-group.

Discussion: Subtle clinical features of SCD identified in this large cohort are difficult to detect at the individual level. More sensitive tests are needed to identify those with SCD who are vulnerable to cognitive decline and dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer dementia; Memory complaint; Mild cognitive impairment; Preclinical Alzheimer disease; Prodromal Alzheimer disease; SCD; SMC; SMI; Subjective cognitive decline; Subjective cognitive impairment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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