• Daniel J Blackburn, Sarah Wakefield, Michael F Shanks, Kirsty Harkness, Markus Reuber, and Annalena Venneri.
• Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK d.blackburn@shef.ac.uk.
• Br. Med. Bull. 2014 Dec 1; 112 (1): 71-81.

Introduction Or BackgroundMemory problems are a very common reason for presenting to primary care. There is a need for better treatments for dementia. Increased government and media interest may result in greater number seeking help for memory problems, which may not reduce the dementia gap but rather increase numbers seen who do not have dementia. This review highlights the issues around the diagnostic criteria and terminology used for people with memory complaints.Sources Of DataA comprehensive literature search using PubMed using keywords for articles on subjective memory decline (SMD)/impairment/complaints, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and functional memory disorder (FMD).Areas Of AgreementThere is a need for early accurate detection of dementia syndromes so that trials of new treatments can begin earlier on the disease process.Areas Of ControversyDiagnostic criteria and terminology used for disorders of memory including SCD, MCI and FMD.Growing PointsThis article reviews SCD and whether this can be used to predict Alzheimer's disease. The review also discusses the terminology used for non-progressive memory problems and the long-term outcomes for this patient group.Areas Timely For Developing ResearchThe accurate distinction of premorbid dementia syndromes from benign non-progressive memory problems. Studies of treatment options for people with benign non-progressive memory problems and longer-term follow-up to determine which patients develop chronic problems.© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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