SELF-REPORTED MEMORY COMPLAINTS AND MEMORY PERFORMANCE IN ELDERLY FRENCH COMMUNITY RESIDENTS - RESULTS OF THE PAQUID RESEARCH-PROGRAM

An epidemiological survey of self-reported memory complaints and memor y performance [assessed with Benton's visual-retention test (BVRT) and the Wechsler paired-associates test (WPAT)] was undertaken in a commu nity sample of 2,726 noninstitutionalized subjects aged 65 and over li ving in Gironde (southwestern France). A significant relationship was observed between the presence of self-reported memory problems and low er performance on the BVRT and the WPAT. However, beyond this relation ship, there was significant discordance between the two evaluations, e xplained in part by the fact that the correlates of memory functioning were not related with similar strength to self reports and to actual performance. In general, females and subjects who scored above the dep ressive symptomatology threshold reported more problems, while lower p erformances were related to older age and low educational level. The d iscordance between self reports and actual performance may suggest ano sognosia of mild memory deficits and could possibly be a predictor of future intellectual deterioration.