AGE-ASSOCIATED MEMORY IMPAIRMENT - PATHOLOGICAL MEMORY DECLINE OR NORMAL AGING

The aim of the study was to determine whether the memory capacity of i ndividuals with age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) over a period of approximately 3 1/2 years declines more, if at all, than the memory capacity of persons without AAMI. Four computerized and three non-com puterized memory tests, a naming test, and a test of visuo-motor speed were administered twice. Two estimates of intellectual capacity were made, one at the first examination and the other 3 1/2 years later. On e person in the AAMI group (n = 44) developed vascular dementia. The g roup of AAMI subjects did less well on two of the seven memory tests a fter 3 1/2 years than they did initially; the control group (n = 18) h ad lower scores on one memory test at follow-up than they had previous ly. The data suggest that the memory capacity of subjects with AAMI is not pathologically impaired. The general intellectual level significa ntly influences whether an individual with memory complaints will be c lassified AAMI or not. People with high intelligence are less likely t han people with lower intellectual capacity to fulfill the AAMI criter ia. This suggests that AAMI lacks in construct validity.