Objective: To assess change in cognitive function in elderly individuals with subjective memory loss over a follow-up interval of more than 3 years.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Setting: An outpatient research clinic in aging and dementia at a university hospital.
Participants: A convenience sample of 59 healthy, elderly individuals (mean age 68.7 years) with memory complaints but no clinically apparent cognitive dysfunction.
Measurements: Participants were given a full diagnostic evaluation and were administered a neuropsychological test battery at baseline and follow-up. The cognitive assessment battery included 12 tests of recent memory, immediate memory, language function, visuospatial praxis, and psychomotor speed. Most of the tests had been established to be sensitive to cross-sectional age differences.
Results: Of 59 subjects, 54 (91.5%) were successfully followed up an average of 3.4 years later. Between baseline and follow-up, two tests exhibited significant improvement, two tests exhibited significant decline, and the other eight were unaffected.
Conclusion: Elderly individuals with subjective perceptions of cognitive decrements who fail to provide clear evidence of cognitive impairment upon clinical interview are not at high risk for progressive cognitive deterioration over the subsequent 3- to 4-year interval.