Age-associated memory impairment and related disorders

Abstract

Complaints of poor memory are common in the healthy elderly and to many it may seem unsurprising that cognitive function declines with ‘normal’ ageing. Virtually every biological system alters with age and, just as a 70-year-old cannot run as fast or hear as well as when he or she was 20, it is perhaps inevitable that cognitive function also becomes impaired. However, far from being straightforward, the nature, classification and clinical significance of age-related cognitive changes that fall short of dementia remain a most controversial and difficult area (see O'Brien & Beats, 1994; Dal Forno & Kawas, 1995). The recent emergence of new drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (donepezil and rivastigmine) and related disorders has emphasised the need to study groups with milder degrees of cognitive impairment. It is necessary to determine whether such conditions are benign and non-progressive, or harbingers of progressive dementia and so appropriate conditions to target for early therapeutic intervention. The presence of age-related cognitive changes raises other important issues including why such changes occur, how they should be classified and whether, even if ‘benign’, they can and should be treated.

Cognitive–behavioural therapy with older people

“…'wit') declines with age whereas 'crystallised intelligence' (the cumulative product of information acquired as a result of fluid intelligence, i.e. 'wisdom') does not (O'Brien, 1999). However, it is essential to remember the issue of variability - older people have been shown to vary more on a variety of cognitive measures than younger people.…”

Spearmint Extract Improves Working Memory in Men and Women with Age-Associated Memory Impairment

“…Age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) is a nonpathological condition that is frequently observed as a result of normal brain aging. 1 With the number of older adults (>65 years of age) worldwide expected to more than double by the year 2030 and average life span predicted to extend by 10 years by 2050, cognitive decline threatens quality of life and creates challenges for healthcare systems. 2 Thus, the need for effective interventions that are aimed at maintaining cognitive health or slowing cognitive decline is critical.…”

The effect of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine on cognitive performance in elderly with subjective memory complaints: a pilot study

“…Interestingly, this subgroup demonstrated a significant influence of SB-PS on cognitive function following 6 months’ administration versus baseline, and, at 3-month posttreatment follow-up, there was a significant difference between the SB-PS group and placebo 23. The efficacy of SB-PS was also examined by Schreiber et al26 In this open-label study, the authors tested the effect of 300 mg/day SB-PS on 18 healthy elderly volunteers, meeting Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) inclusion and exclusion criteria 3. The study showed that those treated with SB-PS had a significant improvement on recall and immediate memory parameters following 6 weeks’ administration, an effect that was maintained following an additional 6 weeks of supplementation 26.…”