Epidemiology of Age-Associated Memory Impairment

ABSTRACT

It has been widely known that the elderly suffer very mild cognitive impairment including memory function that cannot satisfy the criteria of dementia. Koivisti and Hannien et al reported that the prevalences of age-associated memory impairment and age-associated cognitive decline were 38.6% and 26.6%, respectively. The prevalence rate of male was more than that of female and the prevalence rate was increased in younger elderly. The risk factors of age-related cognitive decline were age and myocardiac infarction whereas education and smoking decreased the risk of age-related cognitive decline. The small portion of age-associated memory impairment progressed toward dementia but the most of them were nonprogressive. The probability of progression toward dementia could be predicted by detailed neurocognitive function test. The further epidemiologic studies will reveal the nature of age-associated memory impairment.