A needed revision for the definition of subjective cognitive decline

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) as defined by the SCD-initiative (2014/2020) is now nearly universally accepted. In this framework, conditions characterized by objective cognitive impairment are distinct from SCD, and SCD is not a diagnostic category. The criteria prevent the straightforward linguistic expression, ‘subjective cognitive decline’, from being applied to someone with objective cognitive impairment. However, individuals with objective impairment can, of course, experience of subjective decline. The definition thus operates as a quasi-diagnostic category, precluding description of subjective experience for some individuals. Here I propose a simple solution: preclinical and clinical SCD (P-SCD/C-SCD) for objectively unimpaired and impaired individuals, respectively.