Older People Who Are Unaware They Have Memory Problems Are Three Times More Likely to Develop Dementia in the Next Two Years

A study published in Neurology found older people who are unaware they have memory problems are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia within the next two years, reports the Daily Mail . Certain brain conditions can interfere with a person's ability to understand they have a medical issue. Such memory problems are called anosognosia and are often associated with Alzheimer's disease. Analysis of data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative examined how people rated their own cognitive abilities and compared this with similar polls filled out by close relatives. When someone said they had no cognitive problems, but the relative reported significant difficulties, they were considered to have anosognosia. This cohort was then determined to have impaired brain metabolic function and higher amounts of amyloid deposition, versus those without anosognosia. A two-year follow-up showed they were more likely to have developed dementia, which was reflected by higher brain metabolic dysfunction in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer's. "People with mild memory complaints should have an assessment that takes into account information gathered from reliable informants, such as family members or close friends," recommends McGill University Professor Serge Gauthier.