Investigators: Dr Jim Basilakis, Prof Phillipa Hay, Prof Louisa Jorm, Ms Sabrina Kohler, Prof Anthony Maeder, Mr Robert Joshua May, A/Prof Gerald Muench, Dr Syed Ziaur Rahman (CI).

After a dementia diagnosis, the focus is often only on the person’s symptoms rather than parameters which might be causally linked or even predictive of the risk of the disease. Self-rated memory may be a clinical rating device for cognitive functioning and mild senile dementia. Limited population-based information exists about the patterns of self-rated memory and its potential risk and protective factors. Information about these factors could assist in identifying and targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.

Baseline data from the 45 and Up Study will be used to examine the relationships between self-rated memory and a range of potential risk and protective factors. In particular this project will investigate:

  • Associations between self-rated memory and health conditions.
  • Associations between self-rated memory and lifestyle factors.
  • Associations between self-rated memory and social determinants of health.
  • Associations between self-rated memory and medication use.