Clinicians usually rely on family members to gather information on cognitive function to predict dementia in patients. However, this can be time-consuming and unreliable. Now, a study analyzing data from almost 13,000 participants over 15 years found that interviewer-rated memory of cognitively healthy individuals could also predict the risk of developing dementia. The study involved interviewer assessments of memory difficulty on a 1-5 scale.
A 1-point increase in poor memory rating was linked to a 40% higher risk of dementia , independent of factors like depression and poor hearing. The correlation held even among those with strong objective and subjective memory performance. The study suggests that subjective ratings by interviewers could provide valuable insights into future cognitive health, supporting clinicians in early detection and treatment. In your practice, which method do…
