Subjective Cognitive Decline and Quality of Life During Aging: A Thin Line Between Healthy and Pathological?

Abstract

Subjective cognitive decline is defined as a self-perception of cognitive decline, without an objectively measurable impairment on neuropsychological tests. 1,2 Subjective refers to the individual’s self-experience as opposed to impairment in neuropsychological tests. Cognitive rather than memory because early symptoms may not be limited to amnestics alone. And finally, decline alludes to the idea of progressive deterioration and not just an isolated and static complaint. It is estimated that the elderly population, which remains cognitively nor-mal and preserves its autonomy and functional independence, 3,4 will rise from 57.4 in 2019 to 152.8 million cases in 2050. 5