State and trait dimensions of subjective memory concerns: Genetic influences across 30 years

INTRODUCTION Genetic influences on the stability of subjective memory concerns (SMC) may confound its interpretation as a state-related risk indicator. METHODS We estimated genetic influences on SMC and SMC change from average ages 38 to 67, genetic correlations of SMC with memory and depressive symptoms at average ages 56, 62, and 67, and correlations of SMC with polygenic scores for Alzheimer’s disease and neuroticism, APOE genotype, and parental history or dementia. RESULTS SMC was highly stable over this 30-year period. Heritability was .51. Phenotypically and genetically, SMC was more strongly related to depressive symptoms than to objective memory. It was also correlated with parental history of dementia and polygenic risk for neuroticism. DISCUSSION SMC’s heritability and stability indicate a substantial trait-like component that is related more to depression and personality than objective memory. Improving it as an indicator of impending cognitive decline or dementia will require isolating its state-related component. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health grant numbers R01s AG050595 (WSK MJL CEF), AG022381 (WSK), AG037985, AG062483, and P01 AG055367. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of the University of California San Diego University. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes Data is available upon request and approval of a data authorization agreement.