Subjective memory loss may increase risk for MCI & dementia

January, 2010

Healthy older adults reporting subjective cognitive impairment are dramatically more likely to progress to MCI or dementia, and decline significantly faster.

Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), marked by situations such as when a person recognizes they can't remember a name like they used to or where they recently placed important objects the way they used to, is experienced by between one-quarter and one-half of the population over the age of 65. A seven-year study involving 213 adults (mean age 67) has found that healthy older adults reporting SCI are dramatically more likely to progress to MCI or dementia than those free of SCI (54% vs 15%). Moreover, those who had SCI declined significantly faster.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/nlmc-hoa010710.php

Reference:

Reisberg, B. et al. 2010. Outcome over seven years of healthy adults with and without subjective cognitive impairment. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 6 (1), 11-24.

rate of decline

seniors

Alzheimers

Related News

Cognitive training shown to help healthy older adults

Previous research has been equivocal about whether cognitive training helps cognitively healthy older adults.

Why exercise helps memory and learning

A number of studies, principally involving rodents, have established that physical exercise stimulates the creation of new brain cells in the

Resistance training benefits seniors with MCI

A study involving 86 older women (aged 70-80) with probable

Being active reduces Alzheimer's risk

A four-year study involving 716 elderly (average age 82) has revealed that those who were most physically active were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those least active.

Berries protect the aging brain

Over the years, I have reported on several studies that have found evidence that colorful berries — blueberries in particular (but I think that’s more of an artifact, due to the relative cheapness of these berries in North America) — benefit older b

Genes, brain size, brain atrophy, and Alzheimer’s risk

Genetic analysis of 9,232 older adults (average age 67; range 56-84) has implicated four genes in how fast your

Video game training benefits cognition in some older adults

A number of studies have found evidence that older adults can benefit from cognitive training.

Fluctuating sense of control linked to cognitive ability in older adults

Previous research has pointed to a typical decline in our sense of control as we get older. Maintaining a sense of control, however, appears to be a key factor in successful aging.

Larger belly linked to memory problems in people with HIV

A study involving 130 HIV-positive people has found that memory impairment was associated with a significantly larger waistline.

Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids linked to brain aging

A study involving 1,575 older adults (aged 58-76) has found that those with DHA levels in the bottom 25% had smaller brain volume (equivalent to about 2 years of aging) and greater amounts of

Pages