Neuroscience
Subjective Cognitive Complaints of Older Adults at the Population Level: An Item Response Theory Analysis
Alzheimers Disease and Associated Disorders. 2011 Dec 20;
Snitz BE, Yu L, Crane PK, Chang CC, Hughes TF, Ganguli M
Abstract
Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are increasingly a focus in studies on prodromal Alzheimer disease (AD) and risk for dementia. Little is known about the optimal approach to measure SCCs. We used item response theory (IRT) to examine the characteristics of 24 SCC items in a sample of 3495 older adults pooled from 4 community-based studies. We investigated the potential advantages of IRT scoring over conventional scoring on the basis of participants' item response patterns. Items most likely endorsed by individuals low in SCC severity relate to word retrieval and general subjective memory decline. Items likely endorsed only by individuals high in SCC severity relate to nonepisodic memory changes, such as decline in comprehension, judgment and executive functions, praxis and procedural memory, and social behavior changes. Above and beyond conventional total score, IRT scoring of SCCs was associated with performance on objective cognitive tests, and was associated with cognitive test performance among participants endorsing only 1 SCC item. Thus, IRT scoring captures additional information beyond a simple sum of SCC symptoms. Modern psychometric approaches including IRT may be useful in developing: (1) brief community screening questionnaires; and (2) more sensitive measures of very subtle subjective decline for use in prodromal Alzheimer disease research.
PMID: 22193355 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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Neuroscience
Neuropsychology Abstract of the Day: Aging and Cognition
Subjective Cognitive Complaints of Older Adults at the Population Level: An Item Response Theory Analysis
Alzheimers Disease and Associated Disorders. 2011 Dec 20;
Snitz BE, Yu L, Crane PK, Chang CC, Hughes TF, Ganguli M
Abstract
Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are increasingly a focus in studies on prodromal Alzheimer disease (AD) and risk for dementia. Little is known about the optimal approach to measure SCCs. We used item response theory (IRT) to examine the characteristics of 24 SCC items in a sample of 3495 older adults pooled from 4 community-based studies. We investigated the potential advantages of IRT scoring over conventional scoring on the basis of participants' item response patterns. Items most likely endorsed by individuals low in SCC severity relate to word retrieval and general subjective memory decline. Items likely endorsed only by individuals high in SCC severity relate to nonepisodic memory changes, such as decline in comprehension, judgment and executive functions, praxis and procedural memory, and social behavior changes. Above and beyond conventional total score, IRT scoring of SCCs was associated with performance on objective cognitive tests, and was associated with cognitive test performance among participants endorsing only 1 SCC item. Thus, IRT scoring captures additional information beyond a simple sum of SCC symptoms. Modern psychometric approaches including IRT may be useful in developing: (1) brief community screening questionnaires; and (2) more sensitive measures of very subtle subjective decline for use in prodromal Alzheimer disease research.
PMID: 22193355 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
- Exploring People's Beliefs About Their Memory Problems
We think of memory complaints as being more common among older people. A recent colloquialism has even emerged for older folk to refer good humouredly to their "senior moments". Performance on lab-based memory tests also tends to deteriorate with age....
- Neuropsychology Abstract Of The Day: Alzheimer's Disease
Neuropsychological Signs of Alzheimer's Disease 8 Years Prior to Diagnosis Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2012 Dec 19. Schmid NS, Taylor KI, Foldi NS, Berres M, & Monsch AU.AbstractWe investigated the earliest neuropsychological changes in Alzheimer's...
- Alzheimer's Disease: Watch Nih Conference Live Online
From the NIH: NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline - Day 1 View event: You will be able to view the event at http://videocast.nih.gov when the event is live. Air date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 8:30:00...
- Neuropsychology Abstract Of The Day: Subjective Memory Complaints
Elfgren C, Gustafson L, Vestberg S, & Passant U. Subjective memory complaints, neuropsychological performance and psychiatric variables in memory clinic attendees: A 3-year follow-up study. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2010 Mar 6. [Epub ahead...
- Neuropsychology Abstract Of The Day: Mild Cognitive Impairment (mci)
Bondi MW, Jak AJ, Delano-Wood L, Jacobson MW, Delis DC, & Salmon DP. Neuropsychological Contributions to the Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuropsychological Review. 2008 Mar 18. A wealth of evidence demonstrates that a prodromal period...