Abstract

Objective memory criteria for diagnosing age-associated memory impairment (AAMI), age-consistent memory impairment, and late-life forgetfulness (LLF) were applied to 523 cognitively normal older persons divided into 2 groups on the basis of the clinical memory assessment battery they received. Seventy-seven percent of Group 2 and 98% of Group 1 met the Crook et al. (1986) cognitive criteria for AAMI on at least 1 test. Rates based on individual tests varied from 7% to 96%. Objective-cognitive criteria for LLF were met by no members of Group 1 but by 31% of Group 2. Results suggest that, as proposed, the criteria for age-related diagnoses lack reliability. Concerns regarding the diagnosis of normal memory in older populations are considered.

Keywords

Medical diagnosisPsychologyMemory impairmentTerminologyCognitionReliability (semiconductor)Memory testCognitive impairmentClinical psychologyAudiologyGerontologyPsychiatryMedicine

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Publication Info

Year
1991
Type
article
Volume
6
Issue
4
Pages
551-558
Citations
83
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Closed

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Glenn E. Smith, Robert J. Ivnik, Ronald C. Petersen et al. (1991). Age-associated memory impairment diagnoses: Problems of reliability and concerns for terminology.. Psychology and Aging , 6 (4) , 551-558. https://doi.org/10.1037//0882-7974.6.4.551

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DOI
10.1037//0882-7974.6.4.551