Subjective cognitive decline: Self and informant comparisons

• Published in: Alzheimer's & dementia Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 93 - 98
• Main Authors: Caselli, Richard J, Chen, Kewei, Locke, Dona E.C, Lee, Wendy, Roontiva, Auttawut, Bandy, Dan, Fleisher, Adam S, Reiman, Eric M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2014; ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA
• Subjects: Acoustic Stimulation; Aged; Alzheimer's disease; Apolipoproteins E - genetics; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Cognition Disorders - psychology; Cognitive aging; Cognitive impairment; Cognitive performance; Cohort Studies; Executive Function; Female; Humans; Informants; Language Disorders - etiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mild cognitive impairment; Neurologic Examination; Neurology; Neuropsychological Tests; Preclinical Alzheimer's disease; Psychological distress; Psychomotor Performance; Self; Self Report; Severity of Illness Index; Space Perception - physiology; Subjective cognition; Surveys and Questionnaires; Verbal Learning; Cognitive aging; Subjective cognition; Mild cognitive impairment; Preclinical Alzheimer's disease
• ISSN: 1552-5260; 1552-5279; 1552-5279
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2013.01.003

Abstract Background It is unclear whether self- or informant-based subjective cognition better distinguishes emotional factors from early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Healthy members (n = 447) of the Arizona apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) cohort and their informants completed the self and informant paired Multidimensional Assessment of Neurodegenerative Symptoms questionnaire (MANS). Results Decline on the MANS was endorsed by 30.6% of members and 26.2% of informants. Self- and informant-based decliners had higher scores of psychological distress and slightly lower cognitive scores than nondecliners. Over the next 6.7 years, 20 developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Converters were older at entry than nonconverters (63.8 [7.0] vs 58.8 [7.3] years, P = .003), 85% were APOE ε4 carriers ( P < .0001), and they self-endorsed decline earlier than informants (58.9 [39.2] vs 28.0 [40.4] months before MCI; P = .002). Conclusions Self- and informant-based subjective decline correlated with greater psychological distress and slightly lower cognitive performance. Those with incident MCI generally self-endorsed decline earlier than informants.