Memory lapses and memory: relationship between objective and subjective memory in old age

INTRODUCTION: research into memory in geriatrics and gerontology has become increasingly important in recent years. However, various studies have shown that not all aspects or types of memory are affected in the same way or with the same severity by old age. OBJECTIVES: the present study aimed to establish differential profiles in objective and subjective memory associated with old age with a view to establishing criteria that could be used to distinguish between age-associated memory loss and pathological memory loss, thus aiding diagnosis of cognitive impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a total of 143 participants between 60 and 98 years of age were evaluated using a battery of tests comprising the validated Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination [Lobo's Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC)], diverse tests for objective memory [the auditory verbal learning test of learning potential (AVLT-LP) and a working memory test], and the subjective memory questionnaire. Results and conclusions: significant differences were found between distinct age groups in different measures of subjective and objective memory. In general terms, persons who complained most about memory problems were not those with poorer performance on objective memory tests. The results show that measures of subjective and objective memory assess different aspects of memory.