Abstract
Research increasingly suggests that subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in older adults,
in the absence of objective cognitive dysfunction or depression, may be a harbinger of
non-normative cognitive decline and eventual progression to dementia. Little is known,
however, about the key features of self-report measures currently used to assess SCD. The
Subjective Cognitive Decline Initiative (SCD-I) Working Group is an international
consortium established to develop a conceptual framework and research criteria for SCD
(Jessen et al., 2014, Alzheimers Dement 10, 844–852). In the current
study we systematically compared cognitive self-report items used by 19 SCD-I Working
Group studies, representing 8 countries and 5 languages. We identified 34 self-report
measures comprising 640 cognitive self-report items. There was little overlap among
measures— approximately 75% of measures were used by only one study. Wide variation
existed in response options and item content. Items pertaining to the memory domain
predominated, accounting for about 60% of items surveyed, followed by executive function
and attention, with 16% and 11% of the items, respectively. Items relating to memory for
the names of people and the placement of common objects were represented on the greatest
percentage of measures (56% each). Working group members reported that instrument
selection decisions were often based on practical considerations beyond the study of SCD
specifically, such as availability and brevity of measures. Results document the
heterogeneity of approaches across studies to the emerging construct of SCD. We offer
preliminary recommendations for instrument selection and future research directions
including identifying items and measure formats associated with important clinical
outcomes.
