Prevalence and biopsychosocial correlates of subjective cognitive decline in adults and older adults following mild traumatic brain injury

Project Summary

Due to age-related chronic conditions and cognitive decline, older adults with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may be uniquely vulnerable to subjective cognitive decline (SCD). A substantial proportion of mTBI patients report ongoing subjective memory complaints without objective memory problems (subjective-objective discrepancy). In younger populations, self-reported cognitive deficits are better explained by psychological distress rather than objective memory decline. In aging, SCD is related to affective distress, personality traits, biological factors and psychosocial variables, yet these risk factors are understudied in older adults with mTBI. To inform screening, prevention, and treatment practices, we will study (1) the prevalence of SCD, (2) the prevalence of subjective-objective discrepancy and the role of psychological distress in relation to this effect, and (3) biopsychosocial correlates of prospective SCD in older adults with mTBI.