Memory in older adults: Relationship between subjective perception of memory and performance in objective tests

Abstract

The relationship between subjective perception of memory and performance in objective tests has been widely investigated given its clinical relevance in the diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Considering the lack of consensus about this topic, this study investigated the performance of older adults on objective memory tests and its correlation with their subjective perception of their own memory. One hundred and fifty-two elderly volunteers participated in this study and answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, which included a question to evaluate the subjective perception of their own memory. Objective data were collected using the Mini Mental State Examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and memory subtests of the Neupsilin Brief Neuropsychological Assessment Instrument. Significant partial correlations were found in tasks related to working memory, verbal episodic memory, and long-term semantic memory providing additional evidence of the clinical relevance of the subjective perception of memory evaluation.

Keywords:
Aged; Memory; Neuropsychological tests.