Modifiable dementia risk factors associated with objective and subjective cognition

Authors: Rosická, A.M., Teckentrup, V., Fittipaldi, S., Ibanez, A., Pringle, A., Gallagher, E., Hanlon, A.K., Claus, N., McCrory, C., Lawlor, B., Naci, L. & Gillan, C.M.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION
Early detection of both objective and subjective cognitive impairment is important. Subjective complaints in healthy individuals can precede objective deficits. However, the differential associations of objective and subjective cognition with modifiable dementia risk factors are unclear.

METHODS
We gathered a large cross-sectional sample (N = 3327, age 18 to 84) via a smartphone app and quantified the associations of 13 risk factors with subjective memory problems and three objective measures of executive function (visual working memory, cognitive flexibility, model-based planning).

RESULTS
Depression, socioeconomic status, hearing handicap, loneliness, education, smoking, tinnitus, little exercise, small social network, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension were all associated with impairments in at least one cognitive measure. Subjective memory had the strongest link to most factors; these associations persisted after controlling for depression. Age mostly did not moderate these associations.

DISCUSSION
Subjective cognition was more sensitive to self-report risk factors than objective cognition. Smartphones could facilitate detecting the earliest cognitive impairments.