La plainte mnésiqu

Abstract

People can be heard complaining of loss of memory in daily life at all ages, but this takes on much greater significance with older people, being expressed more frequently and being linked with the fear it translates of the onset of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We can clearly distinguish two main types of complaint. The complaint likely to reveal a case of AD corresponds to a disturbance of memorisation : difficulties only concern the recent past, they quickly have a major impact on daily life and are accompanied by changes in behaviour that lead those in the family circle to ask for a medical consultation. A rapid memory examination highlights a problem of recall that cannot be amended using facilitation procedures (through providing hints). The « non-malignant » or « benign » form of the complaint bears witness to a disturbance of the ability to recall. It can concern both the distant and recent past but is not accompanied by changes in behaviour or a diminution in activities in daily life. The discomfort is essentially subjective and the subject comes in to consult on his or her own initiative. Examination shows a disappearance of problems of recall by provision of hints. This complaint, which is mainly correlated with psycho-affective phenomena dominated by anxiety, a drop in self-esteem and identity disturbance does not constitute any special risk in terms of a progress towards dementia.