M. Gagnon et al., SELF-REPORTED MEMORY COMPLAINTS AND MEMORY PERFORMANCE IN ELDERLY FRENCH COMMUNITY RESIDENTS - RESULTS OF THE PAQUID RESEARCH-PROGRAM, Neuroepidemiology, 13(4), 1994, pp. 145-154
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.