Can Subjective Memory Complaints Identify Aβ Positive and Aβ Negative Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mendes, Tiago^{a; b; *} | Cardoso, Sandra^a | Guerreiro, Manuela^a | Maroco, João^c | Silva, Dina^{a; d} | Alves, Luísa^e | Schmand, Ben^f | Gerardo, Bianca^h | Lima, Marisa^h | Santana, Isabel^{g; h; i} | de Mendonça, Alexandre^a

Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal | [b] Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Santa Maria Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal | [c] Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, Lisbon, Portugal | [d] Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences and Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal | [e] Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal | [f] Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands | [g] Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal | [h] Neuropsychology Unit, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal | [i] Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Tiago Mendes, Dementia Clinics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av Prof Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal. E-mail: tiagohmendes@outlook.pt.

Abstract: Background:The use of biomarkers, in particular amyloid-β (Aβ) changes, has allowed the possibility to identify patients with subjective memory complaints (SMCs) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Since it is unfeasible that all patients with aMCI could presently undergo biomarkers assessment, it would be important that SMCs might contribute to identify the aMCI patients who have AD amyloid pathology. Objectives:To know whether aMCI patients with amyloid biomarkers (Aβ+) present greater SMCs as compared to those without amyloid biomarkers (Aβ-). Methods:Participants were selected from a cohort of nondemented patients with cognitive complaints and a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, on the basis of 1) diagnosis of aMCI; 2) detailed assessment of memory difficulties with the SMC Scale; and 3) known amyloid status. The amyloid status was determined on the basis of either CSF Aβ1–42 concentration or amyloid PET imaging. Results:Of the 176 patients with aMCI studied, 90 were Aβ+ and 86 were Aβ-. The two groups did not differ in terms of age, gender, and education. The SMC total score was not significantly different in the Aβ+ aMCI patients (9.48±4.18) when compared to the Aβ- aMCI patients (10.52±4.57). The Aβ+ aMCI patients had lower scores on the MMSE and memory/learning tests, but not on the Geriatric Depression Scale, when comparing to the Aβ- aMCI patients. Conclusions:Evaluating SMCs does not seem helpful to identify, among patients with aMCI, those who have AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, amnestic, amyloid-β, anosognosia, depressive symptoms, mild cognitive impairment, subjective memory complaints

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190414

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1103-1111, 2019