Early Onset and Independence of Prospective Memory Impairments in Alzheimer's Disease - A Challenge for Diagnosis

Prospective memory (PM) refers to the ability to remember to carry out an intended action at a specific point in the future. Despite its crucial role in autonomy and quality of life, this cognitive function remains understudied and is still rarely assessed in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review examines whether PM impairments emerge independently and at an early stage of AD. Some studies suggest that PM deficits appear earlier than, and independently of, retrospective memory (RM) deficits. They may therefore constitute a valuable complementary marker for the early identification of cognitive profiles consistent with Alzheimer's disease. However, other studies indicate that PM impairments may primarily reflect declines in RM or executive functioning. PM thus appears to lie at the interface between memory processes and cognitive control and may represent an early manifestation of cognitive decline. The heterogeneity of the findings, partly attributable to methodological differences, precludes a clear consensus. Nevertheless, assessing PM appears clinically relevant, both for refining the characterization of patients' cognitive profiles and for better capturing the functional impact of AD on everyday functioning.