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Age‐associated memory impairment—pathological memory decline or normal aging?
Author(s) -
Nielsen Henry,
Lolk Annette,
KraghSØRensen Per
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9450.00053
Subject(s) - memory test , psychology , memory impairment , pathological , dementia , audiology , test (biology) , developmental psychology , neuroscience , medicine , cognition , disease , paleontology , biology
The aim of the study was to determine whether the memory capacity of individuals with age‐associated memory impairment (AAMI) over a period of approximately 3½ years declines more, if at all, than the memory capacity of persons without AAMI. Four computerized and three non‐computerized memory tests, a naming test, and a test of visuo‐motor speed were administered twice. Two estimates of intellectual capacity were made, one at the first examination and the other 3½ years later. One person in the AAMI group (n=44) developed vascular dementia. The group of AAMI subjects did less well on two of the seven memory tests after 3½ years than they did initially; the control group (n=18) had lower scores on one memory test at follow‐up than they had previously. The data suggest that the memory capacity of subjects with AAMI is not pathologically impaired. The general intellectual level significantly influences whether an individual with memory complaints will be classified AAMI or not. People with high intelligence are less likely than people with lower intellectual capacity to fulfill the AAMI criteria. This suggests that AAMI lacks in construct validity.