How are memory complaints in functional memory disorder related to measures of affect, metamemory and cognition? ☆ Birgitta Metternich, Klaus Schmidtke, Michael Hüll ⁎ Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology Freiburg (ZGGF), University Hospital Freiburg im Breisgau, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany Received 12 March 2008; received in revised form 9 June 2008; accepted 7 July 2008 Abstract Objective: Memory complaints are a common finding in outpatients, especially in psychosomatic and neurological practice. In a substantial group of patients persistent memory complaints are found in the absence of abnormal neuropsychology. Different labels such as “functional memory complaint” have been suggested for this phenomenon. We characterise a group of patients with such memory complaints, which we termed functional memory disorder (FMD). The aim of the present study is to describe patients with FMD. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with FMD were compared to 38 control subjects. Data were collected on the German version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test and the Zahlenverbin- dungstest (cognitive speed), subscales of the Metamemory in Adulthood questionnaire (MIA), the Perceived Stress Question- naire (PSQ), the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Symptom Checklist, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and other psychological questionnaire measures. Results: We found significant group differences on all psychological questionnaire measures, with more pathological scores in the patient group. GSI and PSQ were the best predictors of memory self-efficacy. MIA- Memory Self-Efficacy (MSE), MIA-Achievement, and BDI were the best predictors of group membership (FMD vs. control group). When MSE was excluded, MIA-Achievement and BDI or GSI were the only predictors of group membership. Neuropsychologi- cal measures predicted neither MSE nor group membership. Conclusions: Pathological scores on measures of metamemory, stress, and depression are typical of FMD. Low MSE and a high memory-related achievement motivation seem to be key features of FMD. Other important features are increased perceived stress, general psychosomatic complaint, and elevated depression scores. Neuropsychological test performance is not associated with FMD symptoms. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Functional memory complaints; Subjective memory; Somatoform; Neuropsychology; Depression; Metamemory Introduction Memory complaints are a common phenomenon in general medical practice. Commissaris et al. [1] found that 29% of the general Dutch population aged between 25 and 35 years had memory complaints. In the age group 40–50 34% complained about memory deficits, compared to 41% of the subjects aged between 55 and 65 and 52% in the age group 70–85. It appears that memory complaints increase with age. Although memory complaints do not have to be linked to any kind of disorder, they can be symptoms of various neurological (e.g., dementia, epilepsy) or major psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression). Memory complaints that are caused by such disorders are often a manifestation of underlying cognitive impairment. However, in a consider- able number of patients presenting with memory complaints, no underlying organic or psychiatric cause can be found. These patients are often seen in general medical practice or in specialised memory clinics. In memory clinics, the percen- tage of patients with memory complaints without organic or major psychiatric disorders varies between 6% and 12% Journal of Psychosomatic Research 66 (2009) 435 – 444 ☆ Conflict of interest: During the previous 3 years, the authors M. Hüll, K. Schmidtke, and B. Metternich received funding for clinical dementia trials from Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung and from the pharmaceutical industry. No funding was received in the context of the present study. ⁎ Corresponding author. Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology Freiburg (ZGGF), University Hospital Freiburg im Breisgau, Lehener Str. 88, D- 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Tel.: +49 761 270 7094. E-mail address: michael.huell@uniklinik-freiburg.de (M. Hüll). 0022-3999/08/$ – see front matter © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.07.005