Authors: Pike, Kerryn E. | Zeneli, Amina | Ong, Ben | Price, Sarah | Kinsella, Glynda J.
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Cognitive interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are best targeted at the preclinical stages, and subjective memory decline (SMD) without objective memory impairment on standard tests in older adults may represent a very early preclinical stage. Elaborated encoding effectively enhances memory performance for healthy older adults (HOAs), but has not been examined in people with SMD. Objective : To examine elaborated encoding in people with SMD, compared with HOAs. Methods : Participants were 32 HOAs and 22 people with SMD, defined using the Memory Complaint Questionnaire. Participants completed a verbal paired associate learning (PAL) task with …delayed recall under elaborated and non-elaborated encoding conditions, as well as the California Verbal Learning Test–II. Results : On the PAL learning trials, with age controlled, a significant interaction of group X encoding condition emerged, F (1, 51) = 6.47, MSE = 6.54, p = 0.014, η p 2 = 0.11. Simple main effects revealed no differences between groups in the non-elaborated condition, but in the elaborated condition HOAs recalled more pairs than SMD, although both groups benefited from elaboration. At delayed recall, HOA recalled more pairs than SMD, F (1, 51) = 4.59, p = 0.037, η p 2 = 0.08, and both groups benefited from elaboration, F (1, 52) = 19.25, p < 0.001, η p 2 = 0.27. Conclusion : People with SMD benefit from elaborated encoding, although not to the same extent as HOAs. This objective difference in complex learning and memory suggests neural changes in SMD that may represent preclinical AD. Elaborated encoding is a promising technique to help maintain memory and decrease anxiety in this at-risk population. Show more
Keywords: Memory strategies, paired associate learning, preclinical dementia, semantic elaboration, subjective memory complaints
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-150062
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 705-713, 2015
Authors: Cavuoto, Marina G. | Ong, Ben | Pike, Kerryn E. | Nicholas, Christian L. | Bei, Bei | Kinsella, Glynda J.
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Sleep disturbance is implicated in memory function across normal aging and neurodegenerative disease. Furthermore, there is mounting evidence to suggest that high levels of subjective memory decline (SMD) may signal very early neurodegenerative changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This view prompts research examining the relationship between SMD and other risk factors for cognitive decline, including sleep disturbance. Objective: To determine whether objective and subjective indices of sleep predict SMD in older adults. Methods: 181 community-based older adults were divided into groups of high and low SMD based on their responses to the Memory Assessment Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). They …undertook two weeks of objective sleep monitoring (actigraphy), and completed a subjective sleep quality assessment using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: Hierarchical logistic regression indicated that after controlling for demographics and mood, objective sleep quality predicted high SMD group status (Δ Nagelkerke R2 = 0.07, χ 2 = 9.80 (3), p = 0.020), while subjective sleep quality did not. Contrary to expectation, however, less sleep disruption predicted high SMD. Conclusion: These unexpected results may suggest a non-linear trajectory between sleep and memory decline in aging. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research, which taken together, may indicate compensatory sleep patterns of reduced sleep disruption in people with high levels of SMD. These preliminary findings suggest the utility of including analysis of sleep behavior in further longitudinal research of this at-risk group of older people. Show more
Keywords: Actigraphy, cognition, early diagnosis, memory, memory disorders, sleep
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-160187
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 943-953, 2016
Authors: Kinsella, Glynda J. | Ames, David | Storey, Elsdon | Ong, Ben | Pike, Kerryn E. | Saling, Michael M. | Clare, Linda | Mullaly, Elizabeth | Rand, Elizabeth
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Governments are promoting the importance of maintaining cognitive health into older age to minimize risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Older people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are particularly vulnerable to memory challenges in daily activities and are seeking ways to maintain independent living. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of memory groups for improving memory strategies and memory ability of older people, especially those with aMCI. Methods: 113 healthy older adults (HOA) and 106 adults with aMCI were randomized to a six-week memory group or a waitlist control condition. Outcome was evaluated through knowledge and use of memory …strategies, memory ability (self-report and neuropsychological tests), and wellbeing. Assessments included a six-month follow-up. Results: Using intention to treat analyses, there were intervention effects for HOA and aMCI groups in strategy knowledge (HOA: η 2 = 0.20; aMCI: η 2 = 0.06), strategy use (HOA: η 2 = 0.18; aMCI: η 2 = 0.08), and wellbeing (HOA: η 2 = 0.11; aMCI: η 2 = 0.05). There were also intervention effects in the HOA group, but not the aMCI group, in self-reported memory ability (η 2 = 0.06) and prospective memory tests (η 2 = 0.02). By six-month follow-up, gains were found on most HOA outcomes. In the aMCI group gains were found in strategy use, and by this stage, gains in prospective memory were also found. Conclusion: Memory groups can engage older people in techniques for maintaining cognitive health and improve memory performance, but more modest benefits are seen for older adults with aMCI. Show more
Keywords: Aging, memory, memory training, mild cognitive impairment, prospective memory, randomized controlled trial
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-150378
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 31-43, 2016