Abstract:

Episodic memory (EM) is the collection of past personal experiences that have occurred at a particular time and place. Subjective decline in EM is reported in the elderly with subjective memory decline (SMD). The elderly with SMD have a faster rate of EM decline and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) than do healthy controls. However, the brain mechanisms of episodic memory impairment in SMD are unclear. Previous studies suggest that even when memory performance has no observable deficits, the brain structure and function associated with EM have been abnormal in SMD. Two further studies are of vital scientific significance for understanding the pathogenesis of AD. One is to explore the abnormal key nodes and paths of memory neural circuits in SMD. The other is to reveal the changes in the neural circuits in the progression of AD. In addition, considering that the elderly with SMD are a special group with memory impairment, an in-depth investigation into the neural circuits in this group, will make a unique contribution to revealing the neural mechanism of human memory.

Key words: episodic memory, subjective memory decline, Alzheimer's disease, brain mechanisms, elderly