Are subjective memory complaints (un)related to working memory performance? A study with Portuguese young- and older-adults

Abstract

Introduction/Aims: Normative deficits in memory capacity are usually associated with subjective memory complaints, however, the relationship between the declines of objective memory and the subjective memory complaints is not clear. This cross-sectional study aimed to understand the relationship between subjective memory complains frequency (i.e., memory lapses) and objective memory decline both in young and older adults. Method: A sample of 60 Portuguese participants was composed through convenience sampling. The participants were divided in two groups regarding their age. The group of the young-adults was composed of 30 participants (19 males and 11 females), with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years (M = 24.33; SD = 4.42). The group of the older adults was composed of 30 participants (14 males and 16 females), with ages ranging from 65 to 86 years (M = 74.20; SD = 5.77). To data collection, a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Questionnaire of Memory Lapses, Montreal Cognitive Assessment and three verbal working memory tasks (digit span, sequence of letters and numbers, and arithmetic) were used. Results: As expected, the older adults reported more memory lapses and a worst performance in the working memory tasks in comparison with the adults’ group. Moreover, was found a negative correlation between general cognitive performance and the frequency of subjective memory complaints in the older adults. At the same time, no significant correlations were obtained between the subjective and objective cognitive assessments in the adults’ group. Conclusion: In light of the results of our study, we conclude that memory lapses may be related to working memory loosening and deficits. Furthermore, our results sustain this conclusion with evidence that fewer memory lapses are present when there is a better cognitive performance. These findings lead us to conclude that, memory lapses can constitute an important indicator of memory loosening, associated with aging or the onset of dementia.