Subjective memory complaints in preclinical autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease

Neurology. 2017 Oct 3;89(14):1464-1470. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000004533. Epub 2017 Sep 6.

Abstract

Objective: To cross-sectionally study subjective memory complaints (SMC) in autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD).

Methods: We examined self-reported and study partner-based SMC in 52 young, cognitively unimpaired individuals from a Colombian kindred with early-onset ADAD. Twenty-six carried the PSEN-1 E280A mutation, averaging 7 years of age younger than the kindred's expected clinical onset. Twenty-six were age-matched noncarriers. Participants also underwent structural MRI and cognitive testing.

Results: Self-reported SMC were greater in carriers than noncarriers (p = 0.02). Study partner-based SMC did not differ between groups (p = 0.21), but in carriers increased with age (r = 0.66, p < 0.001) and decreased with hippocampal volume (r = -0.35, p = 0.08).

Conclusions: Cognitively unimpaired PSEN-1 carriers have elevated SMC. Self-reported SMC may be a relatively early indicator of preclinical AD, while partner- reported SMC increases later in preclinical AD, closer to clinical onset.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Alzheimer Disease / complications*
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Presenilin-1 / genetics
  • Self Report
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Presenilin-1