Skip to main content

The Dimensional Structure of Subjective Cognitive Decline

  • Protocol
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 137))

Abstract

The self-experienced persistent decline in one’s cognitive abilities in comparison with a previously normal status is referred to as subjective cognitive decline (SCD). During the last decades, evidence has emerged about the close relationship between SCD and incident cognitive impairment to such an extent that SCD is currently considered as a very early marker of future dementia. Here, we first discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of this concept, and then we describe a procedure to measure SCD accurately. Our goal is to provide the reader with specific guidelines on how to assess and classify individuals in terms of SCD in order to identify individuals at high risk of developing cognitive impairment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Protocol
USD   49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Springer Nature is developing a new tool to find and evaluate Protocols. Learn more

References

  1. Sperling R, Aisen PS, Beckett L et al (2011) Toward defining the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association workgroup. Alzheimers Dement 7:280–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.003

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Albert MS, DeKosky ST, Dickson D et al (2011) The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association workgroup. Alzheimers Dement 7:270–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.008

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. McKhann GM, Knopman DS, Chertkow H et al (2011) The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers Dement 7:263–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.005

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Selkoe DJ (2011) Resolving controversies on the path to Alzheimer’s therapeutics. Nat Med 17:1060–1065. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.2460

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Hampel H, Lista S, Teipel SJ et al (2014) Perspective on future role of biological markers in clinical therapy trials of Alzheimer’s disease: a long-range point of view beyond 2020. Biochem Pharmacol 88:426–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2013.11.009

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Reisberg B, Prichep L, Mosconi L et al (2008) The pre-mild cognitive impairment, subjective cognitive impairment stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers Dement 4:S98–S108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2007.11.017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Vannini P, Hanseeuw B, Munro CE et al (2017) Hippocampal hypometabolism in older adults with memory complaints and increased amyloid burden. Neurology 88:1759–1767. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000003889

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Amariglio RE, Townsend MK, Grodstein F et al (2011) Specific subjective memory complaints in older persons may indicate poor cognitive function. J Am Geriatr Soc 59:1612–1617. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03543.x

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Rami L, Fortea J, Bosch B et al (2011) Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and memory present distinct associations along the continuum from healthy subjects to AD patients. J Alzheimers Dis 23:319–326. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2010-101422

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Scheef L, Spottke A, Daerr M et al (2012) Glucose metabolism, gray matter structure, and memory decline in subjective memory impairment. Neurology 79:1332–1339. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e31826c1a8d

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wang Y, Risacher SL, West JD et al (2013) Altered default mode network connectivity in older adults with cognitive complaints and amnestic mild cognitive impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 35:751–760. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-130080

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Dufouil C, Fuhrer R, Alpérovitch A (2005) Subjective cognitive complaints and cognitive decline: consequence or predictor? The epidemiology of vascular aging study. J Am Geriatr Soc 53:616–621. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53209.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Glodzik-Sobanska L, Reisberg B, De Santi S et al (2007) Subjective memory complaints: presence, severity and future outcome in normal older subjects. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 24:177–184. https://doi.org/10.1159/000105604

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Reisberg B, Shulman MB, Torossian C et al (2010) Outcome over seven years of healthy adults with and without subjective cognitive impairment. Alzheimers Dement 6:11–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2009.10.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Mitchell AJ, Beaumont H, Ferguson D et al (2014) Risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in older people with subjective memory complaints: meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 130:439–451. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.12336

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Jessen F (2014) Subjective and objective cognitive decline at the pre-dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 264:3–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-014-0539-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ávila-Villanueva M, Rebollo-Vázquez A, Ruiz-Sánchez de León JM et al (2016) Clinical relevance of specific cognitive complaints in determining mild cognitive impairment from cognitively normal states in a study of healthy elderly controls. Front Aging Neurosci 8:233. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00233

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Crane MK, Bogner HR, Brown GK, Gallo JJ (2007) The link between depressive symptoms, negative cognitive bias and memory complaints in older adults. Aging Ment Health 11:708–715. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860701368497

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Comijs HC, Deeg DJ, Dik MG et al (2002) Memory complaints; the association with psycho-affective and health problems and the role of personality characteristics. A 6-year follow-up study. J Affect Disord 72:157–165. doi: S0165032701004530 [pii]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Montejo P, Montenegro M, Fernández-blázquez M et al (2014) Association of perceived health and depression for older adults’ subjective memory complaints: contrasting a specific questionnaire with general complaints questions. Eur J Ageing 11:77–87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Pearman A, Storandt M (2004) Predictors of subjective memory in older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 59:P4–P6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Montejo P, Montenegro M, Fernandez MA, Maestu F (2011) Subjective memory complaints in the elderly: prevalence and influence of temporal orientation, depression and quality of life in a population-based study in the city of Madrid. Aging Ment Health 15:85–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2010.501062

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Jessen F, Amariglio RE, van Boxtel M et al (2014) A conceptual framework for research on subjective cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers Dement 10:844–852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2014.01.001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Rabin LA, Smart CM, Crane PK 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–S86. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-150154

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Embretson SE (1996) The new rules of measurement. Psychol Assess 8:341–349. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.8.4.341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Burmester B, Leathem J, Merrick P (2015) Assessing subjective memory complaints: a comparison of spontaneous reports and structured questionnaire methods. Int Psychogeriatr 27:61–77. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610214001161

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Broadbent DE, Cooper PF, FitzGerald P, Parkes KR (1982) The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and its correlates. Br J Clin Psychol 21(Pt 1):1–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8260.1982.tb01421.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Farias ST, Mungas D, Reed BR et al (2008) The measurement of everyday cognition (ECog): scale development and psychometric properties. Neuropsychology 22:531–544. https://doi.org/10.1037/0894-4105.22.4.531

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Sunderland A, Harris JE, Gleave J (1984) Memory failures in everyday life following severe head injury. J Clin Neuropsychol 6:127–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/01688638408401204

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Jorm AF, Jacomb PA (1989) The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE): socio-demographic correlates, reliability, validity and some norms. Psychol Med 19:1015–1022

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Crook TH, Feher EP, Larrabee GJ (1992) Assessment of memory complaint in age-associated memory impairment: the MAC-Q. Int Psychogeriatr 4:165–176. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610292000991

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Gilewski MJ, Zelinski EM, Schaie KW (1990) The Memory Functioning Questionnaire for assessment of memory complaints in adulthood and old age. Psychol Aging 5:482–490

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Rami L, Mollica MA, García-Sanchez C et al (2014) The Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q): a validation study. J Alzheimers Dis 41:453–466. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-132027

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Youn JC, Kim KW, Lee DY et al (2009) Development of the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 27:310–317. https://doi.org/10.1159/000205512

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Squire LR, Wetzel CD, Slater PC (1979) Memory complaint after electroconvulsive therapy: assessment with a new self-rating instrument. Biol Psychiatry 14:791–801

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Olazarán J, Valentí M, Frades B et al (2015) The Vallecas Project: a cohort to identify early markers and mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 7:181. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2015.00181

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Montejo Carrasco P, Montenegro Peña M, Sueiro MJ (2012) The Memory Failures of Everyday (MFE) test: normative data in adults. Span J Psychol 15:1424–1431. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_SJOP.2012.v15.n3.39426

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Hughes CP, Berg L, Danziger WL (1982) A new clinical scale for the staging of dementia. Br J Psychiatry 140:566–572. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.140.6.566

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR (1975) “Mini-mental state”: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res 12:189–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Rey A (1941) L’examen psychologique dans les cas d’encéphalopathie traumatique. Arch Psychol (Geneve) 28:215–285. http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1943-03814-001

    Google Scholar 

  41. Peña-Casanova J, Gramunt-Fombuena N, Quiñones-Úbeda S et al (2009) Spanish multicenter normative studies (NEURONORMA project): norms for the rey-osterrieth complex figure (copy and memory), and free and cued selective reminding test. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 24:371–393

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Buschke H (1984) Cued recall in amnesia. J Clin Neuropsychol 6:433–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/01688638408401233

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Peña-Casanova J, Quiñones-Ubeda S, Gramunt-Fombuena N et al (2009) Spanish Multicenter Normative Studies (NEURONORMA Project): norms for verbal fluency tests. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 24:395–411. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acp042

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Wechsler D (1997) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, TX

    Google Scholar 

  45. Lee GP, Loring DW, Newell J, McCloskey L (1994) Figural fluency on the Five-Point Test: preliminary normative and validity data. Int Neuropsychol Soc Progr Abstr, p 51

    Google Scholar 

  46. Wilson BA, Alderman N, Burgess PW et al (1996) The behavioural assessment of the dysexecutive syndrome. Thames Valley Company, Bury St Edmunds

    Google Scholar 

  47. Fernández-Blázquez MA, Ruiz-Sánchez de León JM, López-Pina JA et al (2012) A new shortened version of the Boston Naming Test for those aged over 65: an approach from item response theory. Rev Neurol 55:399–407

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Peña-Casanova J (1990) Programa integrado de exploración neuropsicológica-Test Barcelona. Masson, Barcelona

    Google Scholar 

  49. Warrington EK, James M (1991) The visual object and space perception battery. Thames Valley Test Company, Bury St Edmunds

    Google Scholar 

  50. Pfeffer RI, Kurosaki TT, Harrah CH et al (1982) Measurement of functional activities in older adults in the community. J Gerontol 37:323–329. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/37.3.323

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Yesavage JA, Brink TL, Rose TL et al (1982) Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: a preliminary report. J Psychiatr Res 17:37–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(82)90033-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Spielberger C, Gorsuch R, Leshene R (1970) Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto, CA

    Google Scholar 

  53. Molinuevo JL, Rabin LA, Amariglio R et al (2017) Implementation of subjective cognitive decline criteria in research studies. Alzheimers Dement 13:296–311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2016.09.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Yates JA, Clare L, Woods RT, Matthews FE (2015) Subjective memory complaints are involved in the relationship between mood and mild cognitive impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 48(Suppl 1):S115–S123. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-150371

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Fernández-Blázquez MA, Ávila-Villanueva M, Maestú F, Medina M (2016) Specific features of subjective cognitive decline predict faster conversion to mild cognitive impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 52:271–281. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-150956

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miguel A. Fernández-Blázquez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this protocol

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this protocol

Fernández-Blázquez, M.A., Ávila-Villanueva, M., Medina, M. (2018). The Dimensional Structure of Subjective Cognitive Decline. In: Perneczky, R. (eds) Biomarkers for Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease. Neuromethods, vol 137. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7674-4_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7674-4_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7673-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7674-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics