What is age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline?
AAMCD is a term used to describe the decline in cognitive function that accompanies normal aging. It is different from pathologic types of cognitive decline – such as Alzheimer’s disease – in that it does not reduce quality of life.
What are the main signs and symptoms of age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline?
People with AAMCD experience a decrease in fluid intelligence (the ability to solve new problems without prior knowledge), such as processing speed or working memory, but no changes in crystallized intelligence (skills and abilities learned over time), such as vocabulary or historical information. The symptoms are mild and often self-reported.[1][2]
How is age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline diagnosed?
Because AAMCD is a normal part of aging, there are no standard diagnostic criteria or blood tests. A full clinical evaluation is required to rule out other causes of cognitive symptoms, such as dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). During an examination, a cognitive assessment tool such as the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) may also be used.
What are some of the main medical treatments for age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline?
Medication is not required for AAMCD because it is not a pathological condition. If symptoms start to interfere with activities of daily living, such as bathing, getting dressed, and eating, it is best to seek further evaluation by a healthcare provider for more serious causes of cognitive decline, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Have any supplements been studied for age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline?
Many supplements have been studied for AAMCD. Ginkgo biloba and Bacopa monnieri are helpful for improving memory in people with AAMCD.
How could diet affect age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline?
A variety of dietary patterns have been studied for AAMCD. The Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets have the strongest evidence for maintaining cognitive function. Increased intake of specific foods, such as berries, fish, and extra virgin olive oil may be protective against cognitive decline.[3]
Are there any other treatments for age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline?
What causes age-associated memory impairment & cognitive decline?
The exact cause of AAMCD is unknown. One hypothesis is that the decline in cognitive function is related to reduced brain matter, specifically white matter. After the age of 70, there is a pronounced reduction in white matter volume. Other potential mechanisms that may play a role in the development of AAMCD are mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter alterations, chronic inflammation, high levels of stress-related corticosteroids, high blood pressure, vascular changes associated with aging, and oxidative stress.[5][2][6]
Examine Database: Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)
Research FeedRead all studies
Frequently asked questions
AAMCD is a term used to describe the decline in cognitive function that accompanies normal aging. It is different from pathologic types of cognitive decline – such as Alzheimer’s disease – in that it does not reduce quality of life.
Although people with both AAMCD and dementia may struggle with memory and executive function, people with dementia experience a significant negative impact on their daily functioning, whereas people with AAMCD do not.
People with AAMCD may experience momentary lapses in memory, such as misplacing car keys, or reduced processing speed, such as taking a bit longer to perform basic math calculations. However, these deficiencies do not affect their day-to-day functioning, and the impairments are self-perceived.[1][2]
People with dementia experience more severe symptoms, such as getting lost in a familiar place or having trouble performing activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and paying bills).
Specific diagnostic criteria for dementia (referred to as Major Neurocognitive Disorder) have also been established by the American Psychiatric Association. These criteria, as specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), are:
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A significant cognitive decline from a previous measure of cognitive performance in one or more cognitive domains (e.g., executive function, language, memory).
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An impairment in the ability to function independently in daily life.
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The cognitive deficits are not caused by delirium, and another mental disorder (e.g., depression, schizophrenia) cannot provide a better explanation for the symptoms.
AAMCD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are similar in that people with both conditions can still carry out daily tasks while also experiencing difficulties in memory and cognitive function. However, the severity of these difficulties varies between the two.
People with AAMCD experience memory and executive functioning deficits, but their overall functioning is unaffected and is usually self-perceived. They can still perform everyday tasks with ease.
People with MCI experience the same deficits; however, these deficits are more severe, resulting in a mild impact on activities of daily living that they were quickly able to perform. For instance, people may be less efficient at preparing a meal or forgetting to pay a bill.[1][2]
People with AAMCD experience a decrease in fluid intelligence (the ability to solve new problems without prior knowledge), such as processing speed or working memory, but no changes in crystallized intelligence (skills and abilities learned over time), such as vocabulary or historical information. The symptoms are mild and often self-reported.[1][2]
No, not always. Some aspects of cognitive function, specifically crystallized intelligence, are unaffected by AAMCD.
The term "crystallized intelligence" refers to abilities and knowledge accumulated over time (i.e., language and historical information). In contrast, “fluid intelligence” refers to the ability to solve new problems without drawing on prior knowledge (e.g.., solving puzzles and complex math problems).
It should be no surprise that crystallized intelligence rises steadily throughout life, reaching a plateau at around 80 years old. On the other hand, as a person ages, fluid intelligence—specifically, processing speed and working memory—declines steadily.[7]
Because AAMCD is a normal part of aging, there are no standard diagnostic criteria or blood tests. A full clinical evaluation is required to rule out other causes of cognitive symptoms, such as dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). During an examination, a cognitive assessment tool such as the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) may also be used.
Medication is not required for AAMCD because it is not a pathological condition. If symptoms start to interfere with activities of daily living, such as bathing, getting dressed, and eating, it is best to seek further evaluation by a healthcare provider for more serious causes of cognitive decline, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Many supplements have been studied for AAMCD. Ginkgo biloba and Bacopa monnieri are helpful for improving memory in people with AAMCD.
A variety of dietary patterns have been studied for AAMCD. The Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets have the strongest evidence for maintaining cognitive function. Increased intake of specific foods, such as berries, fish, and extra virgin olive oil may be protective against cognitive decline.[3]
The exact cause of AAMCD is unknown. One hypothesis is that the decline in cognitive function is related to reduced brain matter, specifically white matter. After the age of 70, there is a pronounced reduction in white matter volume. Other potential mechanisms that may play a role in the development of AAMCD are mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter alterations, chronic inflammation, high levels of stress-related corticosteroids, high blood pressure, vascular changes associated with aging, and oxidative stress.[5][2][6]
References
Examine Database References
- Memory - Annette Morgan, John StevensDoes Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialJ Altern Complement Med.(2010 Jul)
- Memory - Raghav S, Singh H, Dalal PK, Srivastava JS, Asthana OPRandomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa monniera extract in age-associated memory impairmentIndian J Psychiatry.(2006 Oct)
- Memory - Harshad C, et alEfficacy and Tolerability of BacoMind® on Memory Improvement in Elderly Participants - A Double Blind Placebo Controlled StudyJ Pharmacol Toxicol.()
- Memory - Bäurle P, Suter A, Wormstall HSafety and effectiveness of a traditional ginkgo fresh plant extract - results from a clinical trialForsch Komplementmed.(2009 Jun)
- Memory - Brautigam MR, Blommaert FA, Verleye G, Castermans J, Jansen Steur EN, Kleijnen JTreatment of age-related memory complaints with Ginkgo biloba extract: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled studyPhytomedicine.(1998 Dec)
- Cognitive Decline - Snitz BE, O'Meara ES, Carlson MC, Arnold AM, Ives DG, Rapp SR, Saxton J, Lopez OL, Dunn LO, Sink KM, DeKosky ST, Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study InvestigatorsGinkgo biloba for preventing cognitive decline in older adults: a randomized trialJAMA.(2009 Dec 23)
- Cognitive Decline - K. Wesnes, D. Simmons, M. Rook, P. SimpsonA double-blind placebo-controlled trial of tanakan in the treatment of idiopathic cognitive impairment in the elderlyHuman Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.()
- Memory - Shin KY, Lee JY, Won BY, Jung HY, Chang KA, Koppula S, Suh YHBT-11 is effective for enhancing cognitive functions in the elderly humansNeurosci Lett.(2009 Nov 13)
- Memory - Jorissen BL, Brouns F, Van Boxtel MP, Ponds RW, Verhey FR, Jolles J, Riedel WJThe influence of soy-derived phosphatidylserine on cognition in age-associated memory impairmentNutr Neurosci.(2001)
- Memory - Vakhapova V, Cohen T, Richter Y, Herzog Y, Korczyn ADPhosphatidylserine containing omega-3 fatty acids may improve memory abilities in non-demented elderly with memory complaints: a double-blind placebo-controlled trialDement Geriatr Cogn Disord.(2010)
- Cognition - Kato-Kataoka A, Sakai M, Ebina R, Nonaka C, Asano T, Miyamori TSoybean-derived phosphatidylserine improves memory function of the elderly Japanese subjects with memory complaintsJ Clin Biochem Nutr.(2010 Nov)
- Memory - Krikorian R, Shidler MD, Nash TA, Kalt W, Vinqvist-Tymchuk MR, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JABlueberry supplementation improves memory in older adultsJ Agric Food Chem.(2010 Apr 14)
- Memory - Alvarez XA, Laredo M, Corzo D, Fernández-Novoa L, Mouzo R, Perea JE, Daniele D, Cacabelos RCiticoline improves memory performance in elderly subjectsMethods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol.(1997 Apr)
- Memory - McBean L, O'Reilly SDiet quality interventions to prevent neurocognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Eur J Clin Nutr.(2022-Aug)
- Cognition - David G Loughrey, Sara Lavecchia, Sabina Brennan, Brian A Lawlor, Michelle E KellyThe Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on the Cognitive Functioning of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAdv Nutr.(2017 Jul 14)
- Cognition - Sandrine Andrieu, Sophie Guyonnet, Nicola Coley, Christelle Cantet, Marc Bonnefoy, Serge Bordes, Lawrence Bories, Marie-Noëlle Cufi, Thierry Dantoine, Jean-François Dartigues, Françoise Desclaux, Audrey Gabelle, Yannick Gasnier, Alain Pesce, Kristel Sudres, Jacques Touchon, Philippe Robert, Olivier Rouaud, Philippe Legrand, Pierre Payoux, Jean-Paul Caubere, Michael Weiner, Isabelle Carrié, Pierre-Jean Ousset, Bruno Vellas, MAPT Study GroupEffect of long-term omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation with or without multidomain intervention on cognitive function in elderly adults with memory complaints (MAPT): a randomised, placebo-controlled trialLancet Neurol.(2017 May)
- Cognitive Decline - Yurko-Mauro K, McCarthy D, Rom D, Nelson EB, Ryan AS, Blackwell A, Salem N Jr, Stedman M; MIDAS InvestigatorsBeneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive declineAlzheimers Dement.(2010 Nov)
- Cognitive Decline - Abuzzahab FS Sr, Merwin GE, Zimmermann RL, Sherman MCA double blind investigation of piracetam (Nootropil) vs placebo in geriatric memoryPharmakopsychiatr Neuropsychopharmakol.(1977 Mar)
- Cognitive Decline - Waegemans T, Wilsher CR, Danniau A, Ferris SH, Kurz A, Winblad BClinical efficacy of piracetam in cognitive impairment: a meta-analysisDement Geriatr Cogn Disord.(2002)
- Depression Symptoms - Markun S, Gravestock I, Jäger L, Rosemann T, Pichierri G, Burgstaller JMEffects of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.Nutrients.(2021-Mar-12)