Neurocognitive Characteristics of Subjective Cognitive Decline and Its Association with Objective Cognition, Negative Emotion, and Sleep Quality in Chinese Elderly

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is recognized as a preclinical indicator of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and this stage provides a valuable time window for ultra-early intervention in AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the neurocognitive characteristics of SCD and its correlation with objective cognition, negative emotion and sleep quality in Chinese elderly. METHODS: A total of 1200 volunteers aged 60 and older underwent Brief Elderly Cognitive Screening Inventory, Quick Cognitive Screening Scale for the Elderly, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Core Neuropsychological Test. According to the examination results, the participants were divided into healthy control (HC) and SCD groups. The neurocognitive function of SCD and its relationship with objective cognition, negative emotion and sleep quality were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the HC group, the SCD group had similar global cognitive function but slightly impaired neurocognitive function. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, sex, marriage, education and chronic disease, neurocognitive function (Picture-Symbol Matching: OR=0.167, 95% CI: 0.105–0.266; Word Stem Completion: OR =0.260, 95% CI: 0.131–0.514; Trail Making Test: OR=0.315, 95% CI: 0.178–0.560; Picture Recall: OR =0.278, 95% CI: 0.122–0.636), negative emotion (sub-depressive symptoms: OR=2.287, 95% CI: 1.483–3.527; sub-anxiety symptoms: OR=1.663, 95% CI: 1.079–2.563), and poor sleep quality (OR=2.138, 95% CI: 1.571–2.909) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of SCD. CONCLUSION: The study illustrates that SCD is closely related to objective cognition, negative emotion and sleep quality. Clinical evaluation and follow-up of SCD should fully account for these factors.