• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Assessment of Memory Complaint in Age-Associated Memory Impairment: The MAC-Q
  • Contributor: Crook, Thomas H.; Feher, Edward P.; Larrabee, Glenn J.
  • imprint: Cambridge University Press (CUP), 1992
  • Published in: International Psychogeriatrics
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.1017/s1041610292000991
  • ISSN: 1041-6102; 1741-203X
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <jats:p>Few brief self-report memory questionnaires are available, and none has been well validated. We designed a brief questionnaire, the MAC-Q, to assess age-related memory decline. Validity and reliability of the MAC-Q were assessed in 232 subjects meeting diagnostic criteria for age-associated memory impairment (AAMI). Concurrent validity of the MAC-Q was supported by a significant correlation (<jats:italic>r</jats:italic> = .41, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &lt; .001) with a lengthy, well-validated memory questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis indicated that memory test scores were significant predictors of MAC-Q scores. MAC-Q scores were not predicted by Hamilton Depression Scale scores, suggesting that memory complaint in AAMI is not related to affective status. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the MAC-Q were satisfactory. Our data support the validity and reliability of the MAC-Q, a new brief memory questionnaire. The MAC-Q is of particular relevance to the assessment of AAMI, but should also prove useful in any clinical or research setting requiring a brief index of memory complaint.</jats:p>