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Free keywords:
Subjective cognitive decline; Mild cognitive impairment; Alzheimer’s disease; Dementia; Early detection
Abstract:
Objective: Subjective cognitive decline is controversially discussed as early notable sign of future dementia in the literature. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether SCD predicts dementia in a sample of cognitively unimpaired older individuals (75+).
Methods: 595 cognitively unimpaired individuals who participated in the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA75+) were regularly interviewed and cognitively tested over 8 years. Cox regression analyses were used to determine the association of SCD and development of dementia.
Results: SCD at baseline was not associated with an increased dementia risk when adjusted for covariates. By contrast, subtle deficits on cognitive testing, though within a normal range, indicated higher dementia risk.
Conclusion: SCD is not a clear indicator for the development of dementia. However, individuals who exhibit subtle deficits on cognitive tests, though within the normal range, should be monitored closely as they might be at increased risk for dementia.
