title: Phenomenological characterization of memory complaints in preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the subjective experience of memory change in groups at risk of dementia (those with mild cognitive impairment MCI or high β-amyloid (Aβ+) burden) to determine the existence of potential phenomenological typologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 123 healthy controls (HC) and individuals with MCI from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study. Sixty-7 (HC = 47,MCI = 20) had Aβ scans available for analysis. Semistructured interviews were administered, transcribed, and meaningful phrases extracted from transcripts. Twelve themes were defined and compared across diagnostic status and Aβ status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCI endorsed more complaints of burdensome coping strategies, increasing frequency, sense of predomination, poor contextualization, progression, dependency, impact on affect, and dismissive attitudes. HCAβ+ acknowledged a progressive memory decline compared to HCAβ-, while MCIAβ+ expressed more burdensome coping strategies, dismissive attitudes, and dependency comparative to either healthy group. Depression was more likely to be related to complaint themes in HCs, while complaint themes were associated with poorer list-learning performance in individuals with MCI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complaint themes in those with MCI align with the MCI symptom complex, particularly when accompanied with high Aβ load. Healthy Aβ+ individuals acknowledged progressive memory change, suggesting they are aware of memory changes not yet detectable via neuropsychological measures. Depressive symptomatology associated with HC complaints, suggesting certain themes are affect-driven, while complaints in MCI are associated with organically driven functional impairment. Qualitative analysis of SMCs can inform the earliest clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease. Our findings can inform diagnostic approaches to the clinical evaluation of memory complaints in the nondemented elderly.
authors: Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences.
authors: Rachel F
authors: RF
authors: Buckley
authors: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne.
authors: Kathryn A
authors: KA
authors: Ellis
authors: National Aging Research Institute.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ames
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Austin Health.
authors: Christopher C
authors: CC
authors: Rowe
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne.
authors: Nicola T
authors: NT
authors: Lautenschlager
authors: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Maruff
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Austin Health.
authors: Victor L
authors: VL
authors: Villemagne
authors: Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization Preventative Health Flagship.
authors: S Lance
authors: SL
authors: Macaulay
authors: National Aging Research Institute Melbourne.
authors: Cassandra
authors: C
authors: Szoeke
authors: Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care, School of Medical Sciences, Edith Cowan University.
authors: Ralph N
authors: RN
authors: Martins
authors: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne.
authors: Colin L
authors: CL
authors: Masters
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Macquarie University.
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Savage
authors: Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care, School of Medical Sciences, Edith Cowan University.
authors: Stephanie R
authors: SR
authors: Rainey-Smith
authors: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Rembach
authors: Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne.
authors: Michael M
authors: MM
authors: Saling
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D001290:Attitude; D015415:Biomarkers; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D018450:Disease Progression; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007858:Learning; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D015415:Biomarkers