Subjective perception of memory loss is very common in older adults, though there is no straightforward relationship between cognitive complaints and performance as assessed with conventional neuropsychological instruments. We have identified a group of nondepressed, healthy older adults with significant cognitive complaints (particularly involving memory) despite intact functioning on extensive neuropsychological testing (referred to as the Cognitive Complaint, CC, group). These individuals show structural brain changes intermediate between those seen in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal elders and may represent a """"""""pre-MCI"""""""" population. Thus, cognitive complaints in otherwise healthy, nondepressed older adults may indicate underlying neurodegenerative changes that could provide an earlier therapeutic opportunity than MCI. The realization of this potential, however, will require an improved understanding of the relationship between self-appraised memory and actual performance, as well as the factors that influence this relationship. Our main goal is to use novel paradigms to test hypotheses regarding the nature and clinical significance of cognitive complaints in a demographically diverse group of approximately 250 older adults with varying degrees of cognitive complaints and impairment. We propose that cognitive complaints reflect subtle abnormalities not readily detected by conventional tools, and that tasks developed using paradigms other than traditional episodic memory may provide more sensitive criteria by which to test the relationship between subjective and objective memory. We will enroll nondepressed, nondemented older adults meeting inclusion criteria and classify them as healthy control, CC, or MCI using the procedures described in the proposal. We predict that neuropsychologically intact older adults with marked cognitive complaints, but not those without complaints, will show: (1) mild performance deficits on prospective and procedural metamemory tasks despite intact performance on conventional tools;(2) lower memory self-efficacy and reduced use of mnemonic strategies and compensatory behaviors;and (3) increased risk of conversion to MCI over time. Our long-term goals are to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive utility of cognitive complaints and identify variables that best predict progression from pre-MCI to MCI and eventually dementia. We also hope to expand the cohort in the future and implement a cognitive intervention for pre-MCI that targets behaviors and beliefs that were found to be relevant in the proposed study and that are potentially modifiable, such as enhancing the use of memory strategies and self-efficacy. The proposed study will have the advantages of a community-based sample, longitudinal design, and psychometric approach to the assessment of cognitive complaints. NIH support of this proposal will provide the applicant with the experience necessary to transition to an independent investigator. Importantly, findings will advance scientific understanding of memory self-appraisals and the cognitive changes that precede the onset of dementia, with important implications for early diagnosis and clinical care.

Public Health Relevance

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major global public health problem that seriously impacts patients, their families, and society;an understanding of normal and abnormal memory processes in the early presentation of AD is a critical research priority that will facilitate detection of predementia conditions. The proposed study will advance basic scientific understanding of memory self-appraisals and the cognitive changes that precede the onset of AD, with significant implications for early diagnosis, clinical care, and intervention. Additionally, this study will meet important public health needs by increasing minority access to research and improving the ability to differentiate individuals at high risk for progressive cognitive decline from the """"""""worried well,"""""""" who can be reassured and followed.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Pilot Research Project (SC2)
Project #
1SC2AG039235-01A1
Application #
7852483
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZGM1-MBRS-0 (BH))
Program Officer
Silverberg, Nina B
Project Start
2010-09-01
Project End
2013-08-31
Budget Start
2010-09-01
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$157,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Brooklyn College
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
620127691
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11210
Rabin, Laura A; Smart, Colette M; Amariglio, Rebecca E (2017) Subjective Cognitive Decline in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 13:369-396
Adams, Tangeria R; Rabin, Laura A; Da Silva, Valdiva G et al. (2016) Social Support Buffers the Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Life Satisfaction in Old Age. Clin Gerontol 39:139-157
Rabin, Laura A; Smart, Colette M; Crane, Paul K et al. (2015) Subjective Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: An Overview of Self-Report Measures Used Across 19 International Research Studies. J Alzheimers Dis 48 Suppl 1:S63-86
Aronov, Avner; Rabin, Laura A; Fogel, Joshua et al. (2015) Relationship of cognitive strategy use to prospective memory performance in a diverse sample of nondemented older adults with varying degrees of cognitive complaints and impairment. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn 22:486-501
Chi, Susan Y; Rabin, Laura A; Aronov, Avner et al. (2014) Differential focal and nonfocal prospective memory accuracy in a demographically diverse group of nondemented community-dwelling older adults. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 20:1015-27
Rabin, Laura A; Chi, Susan Y; Wang, Cuiling et al. (2014) Prospective memory on a novel clinical task in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive decline. Neuropsychol Rehabil 24:868-93
Wang, Yang; West, John D; Flashman, Laura A et al. (2012) Selective changes in white matter integrity in MCI and older adults with cognitive complaints. Biochim Biophys Acta 1822:423-30
Rabin, Laura A; Wang, Cuiling; Katz, Mindy J et al. (2012) Predicting Alzheimer's disease: neuropsychological tests, self-reports, and informant reports of cognitive difficulties. J Am Geriatr Soc 60:1128-34