title: Subjective Memory Complaints: Symptoms and Outcome in Different Research Settings.
abstract: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are important and may, in certain individuals, herald the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer's disease. However, they are very common and in some individuals will result from mood disorders/personality factors or systemic illnesses. Research has been hampered by the wide variety of criteria and neuropsychological tests used to define this disorder. Different terminology has also hindered the ability to generate generalizable results. We evaluate how subjects with SMC are defined within different research settings (community, primary care, and memory clinic), their rates of progression to mild cognitive impairment and dementia, and how individuals within these contexts differ in terms of complaints, personal characteristics, and help-seeking behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Hilary Anne
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.affiliation: North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Margaret Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Newson
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Jane
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Coulthard
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012111:Residence Characteristics
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; complaints; memory; setting; subjective