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Ulep MG, Liénard P. Free-listing and Semantic Knowledge: A Tool for Detecting Alzheimer Disease? Cogn Behav Neurol 2024; 37:117-143. [PMID: 38899852 PMCID: PMC11356687 DOI: 10.1097/wnn.0000000000000370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairment in semantic knowledge contributes to Alzheimer disease (AD)-related decline. However, the particulars of the impact AD has on specific domains of knowledge remain debatable. OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of AD on specific semantic categories that are integral to daily functions-living things and man-made objects. METHOD We administered a free-listing task (written version) to 19 individuals with AD and 15 cognitively normal older adults and assessed the task's relationship with other cognitive and functional tests in clinical use. We compared the contents of the lists of salient concepts generated by the AD and control groups. RESULTS Group membership (AD or control), after controlling for age, sex, formal education, and an estimate of premorbid intellectual ability, predicted the groups' performance on the free-listing task across two categories. Functional status was inversely related to performance on the free-listing task, holding demographic variables constant. Based on a comparison of the contents of the free lists that were generated by the two groups, it was possible to conclude that, in individuals with AD, conceptual knowledge central to the respective categories was well preserved, whereas the peripheral conceptual material showed evidence of degradation. CONCLUSION The free-listing task, which is an easy-to-administer and cost-effective tool, could aid in the preliminary detection of semantic knowledge dysfunction, revealing concepts that are better preserved and, possibly, the characterization of AD. Cognitive assessment tools that can be applied across cultures are needed, and the free-listing task has the potential to address this gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maileen G. Ulep
- Cognitive Disorders Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Nevada, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Pierre Liénard
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
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2
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Wertman E. Essential New Complexity-Based Themes for Patient-Centered Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia and Predementia in Older People: Multimorbidity and Multilevel Phenomenology. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4202. [PMID: 39064242 PMCID: PMC11277671 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Dementia is a highly prevalent condition with devastating clinical and socioeconomic sequela. It is expected to triple in prevalence by 2050. No treatment is currently known to be effective. Symptomatic late-onset dementia and predementia (SLODP) affects 95% of patients with the syndrome. In contrast to trials of pharmacological prevention, no treatment is suggested to remediate or cure these symptomatic patients. SLODP but not young onset dementia is intensely associated with multimorbidity (MUM), including brain-perturbating conditions (BPCs). Recent studies showed that MUM/BPCs have a major role in the pathogenesis of SLODP. Fortunately, most MUM/BPCs are medically treatable, and thus, their treatment may modify and improve SLODP, relieving suffering and reducing its clinical and socioeconomic threats. Regrettably, the complex system features of SLODP impede the diagnosis and treatment of the potentially remediable conditions (PRCs) associated with them, mainly due to failure of pattern recognition and a flawed diagnostic workup. We suggest incorporating two SLODP-specific conceptual themes into the diagnostic workup: MUM/BPC and multilevel phenomenological themes. By doing so, we were able to improve the diagnostic accuracy of SLODP components and optimize detecting and favorably treating PRCs. These revolutionary concepts and their implications for remediability and other parameters are discussed in the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Wertman
- Department of Neurology, Hadassah University Hospital, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel;
- Section of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
- Or’ad: Organization for Cognitive and Behavioral Changes in the Elderly, Jerusalem 9458118, Israel
- Merhav Neuropsychogeriatric Clinics, Nehalim 4995000, Israel
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3
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Spigarelli M, Lalancette A, Massé-Alarie H, Wilson MA. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Action Naming in Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Brain Sci 2024; 14:665. [PMID: 39061405 PMCID: PMC11275163 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anomia, characterized by difficulty in word retrieval, particularly action verbs, poses a significant challenge in post-stroke aphasia. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has gained attention for language processing investigations and interventions. This systematic review explores the potential of rTMS as a modality to address action-verb deficits in post-stroke aphasia. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL via Ebsco and Web of Science in February 2024 for English articles (1996-2024). Eligible studies involved post-stroke aphasia action naming rehabilitation with rTMS. In some of these studies, rTMS was combined with speech-language therapy. In total, 10 studies were included in this systematic review. These articles highlight the potential of rTMS in improving verb retrieval deficits. While significant improvements may not be evident, notable progress both before and after intervention is observed in this review. However, it also underscores the need for further research to enhance language recovery for individuals with post-stroke aphasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Spigarelli
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale—CIRRIS, 525 Bd Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec, QC G1M 2S8, Canada; (A.L.); (H.M.-A.); (M.A.W.)
| | - Audrey Lalancette
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale—CIRRIS, 525 Bd Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec, QC G1M 2S8, Canada; (A.L.); (H.M.-A.); (M.A.W.)
| | - Hugo Massé-Alarie
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale—CIRRIS, 525 Bd Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec, QC G1M 2S8, Canada; (A.L.); (H.M.-A.); (M.A.W.)
- École des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Maximiliano A. Wilson
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale—CIRRIS, 525 Bd Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec, QC G1M 2S8, Canada; (A.L.); (H.M.-A.); (M.A.W.)
- École des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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4
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Frick A, Besson G, Salmon E, Delhaye E. Perirhinal cortex is associated with fine-grained discrimination of conceptually confusable objects in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 130:1-11. [PMID: 37419076 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
The perirhinal cortex (PrC) stands among the first brain areas to deteriorate in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study tests to what extent the PrC is involved in representing and discriminating confusable objects based on the conjunction of their perceptual and conceptual features. To this aim, AD patients and control counterparts performed 3 tasks: a naming, a recognition memory, and a conceptual matching task, where we manipulated conceptual and perceptual confusability. A structural MRI of the antero-lateral parahippocampal subregions was obtained for each participant. We found that the sensitivity to conceptual confusability was associated with the left PrC volume in both AD patients and control participants for the recognition memory task, while it was specifically associated with the volume of the left PrC in AD patients for the conceptual matching task. This suggests that a decreased volume of the PrC is related to the ability to disambiguate conceptually confusable items. Therefore, testing recognition memory or conceptual matching of easily conceptually confusable items can provide a potential cognitive marker of PrC atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Frick
- GIGA-CRC In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Psychology and Neuroscience of Cognition Research Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Gabriel Besson
- CINEICC, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Eric Salmon
- GIGA-CRC In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Emma Delhaye
- GIGA-CRC In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Psychology and Neuroscience of Cognition Research Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Botezatu MR, Miller E, Kiselica AM. Limited connectedness of spontaneous speech may be a marker of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1252614. [PMID: 37794978 PMCID: PMC10546011 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1252614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The study evaluated the connectedness of spontaneous speech production in individuals with dementia as a potential predictor of dementia severity. Data were derived from the baseline sample of 143 individuals with dementia in the English Pitt corpus. Dementia severity was assessed via the Mini Mental Status Exam, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, and the Blessed Dementia Scale. Language abilities were evaluated using verbal fluency and picture description tasks. Graph analysis was carried out for the picture description task using the computational tool SpeechGraphs to calculate connectedness. Results demonstrated that higher educational attainment, higher verbal fluency and strongly-connected spontaneous speech were associated with better cognitive function. Results suggest that automated language processing approaches, such as graph structure analysis, may provide a faster and ecologically valid method of detecting dementia symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Roxana Botezatu
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Erika Miller
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Andrew M. Kiselica
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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Polito C, Conca F, Santi GC, Esposito V, Caminiti SP, Boccalini C, Berti V, Morinelli C, Mazzeo S, Marcone A, Iannaccone S, Bessi V, Sorbi S, Perani D, Cappa SF, Catricalà E. Comparing two picture naming tasks in primary progressive aphasia: Insights from behavioural and neural results. Cortex 2023; 166:1-18. [PMID: 37295234 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Picture naming tests are widely used to evaluate language impairments in neurodegenerative diseases, especially in Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). The available tests differ for many factors affecting the performance, e.g. format of stimuli and their psycholinguistic properties. We aim to identify the most appropriate naming test to be used on PPA according to the clinical and research demands. We investigated the behavioural characteristics, i.e. proportion of correct responses and error type, and their neural correlates in two Italian naming tests, CaGi naming (CaGi) and naming subtest of the Screening for Aphasia in NeuroDegeneration battery (SAND), administered to 52 PPA patients who underwent an FDG-PET scan. We analysed the effectiveness of the tests in distinguishing PPA versus controls and among PPA variants, considering the psycholinguistic variables affecting performance. We explored the brain metabolic correlates of behavioural performance in the tests. SAND, differently from CaGi, has time limits for the response and its items are less frequent and acquired later. SAND and CaGi differed in terms of number of correct responses and error profile, suggesting a higher difficulty to name SAND items compared to CaGi. Semantic errors predominated in CaGi, while anomic and semantic errors were equally frequent in SAND. Both tests distinguished PPA from controls, but SAND outperformed CaGi in discriminating among PPA variants. FDG-PET imaging revealed a shared metabolic involvement of temporal areas associated with lexico-semantic processing, encompassing anterior fusiform, temporal pole, and extending to posterior fusiform in sv-PPA. Concluding, a picture naming test with response time limit and items which are less frequent and acquired later in life, as SAND, may be effective at highlighting subtle distinctions between PPA variants, improving the diagnosis. Conversely, a naming test without time limit for the response, as CaGi, may be useful for a better characterization of the nature of the naming impairment at the behavioural level, eliciting more naming errors than anomia, possibly helping in the development of rehabilitation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gaia C Santi
- ICoN Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Institute for Advanced Studies, IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Silvia P Caminiti
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132, Milan, Italy; In Vivo Human Molecular and Structural Neuroimaging Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy; Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Boccalini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132, Milan, Italy; In Vivo Human Molecular and Structural Neuroimaging Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Berti
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Italy
| | - Carmen Morinelli
- SOD Neurologia 1, Dipartimento Neuromuscolo-Scheletrico e Degli Organi di Senso, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mazzeo
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy; NEUROFARBA, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marcone
- Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Iannaccone
- Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bessi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy; SOD Neurologia 1, Dipartimento Neuromuscolo-Scheletrico e Degli Organi di Senso, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy; NEUROFARBA, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy; SOD Neurologia 1, Dipartimento Neuromuscolo-Scheletrico e Degli Organi di Senso, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy; NEUROFARBA, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Perani
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132, Milan, Italy; In Vivo Human Molecular and Structural Neuroimaging Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy; Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano F Cappa
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy; ICoN Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Institute for Advanced Studies, IUSS, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Catricalà
- ICoN Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Institute for Advanced Studies, IUSS, Pavia, Italy
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7
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Invernizzi S, Bodart A, Lefebvre L, Loureiro IS. The role of semantic assessment in the differential diagnosis between late-life depression and Alzheimer's disease or amnestic mild cognitive impairment: systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Ageing 2023; 20:34. [PMID: 37563432 PMCID: PMC10415247 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-023-00780-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECT The cognitive complaints encountered in late-life depression (LLD) make it difficult to distinguish from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on an analysis of neurocognitive disorders. The hypothesis of the early impairment of semantic memory in AD and aMCI is considered a potential differential cognitive clue, but the absence of this impairment has not yet been confirmed in LLD. METHOD Based on the PRISMA method, we systematically seek neuropsychological assessments of individuals with LLD, the present study included 31 studies representing 3291 controls and 2820 people with LLD. Wherever possible, studies that tested simultaneously groups with LLD, AD (or aMCI) were also included. The results of the group of neuropsychological tasks relying on semantic memory were analyzed in two groups of tasks with high- or low-executive demand. The mean average effect of LLD was calculated and compared to the incremental effect of aMCI or AD on the scores. Linear regressions including education, age, and severity and type of depression were run to seek their power of prediction for the mean average effects. RESULTS LLD has a medium effect on scores at semantic and phonemic fluency and naming and a small average effect on the low-executive demand tasks. Differences in education is a predictor of the effect of LLD on phonemic fluency and naming but not on semantic fluency or on low-executive demand tasks. Except for semantic fluency, aMCI did not demonstrate an incremental effect on the scores compared to LLD, while AD did, for all the tasks except phonemic fluency. CONCLUSION Assessment of semantic memory can be a discriminating clue for the distinction between depression and Alzheimer's disease but some methodological variables are highly influential to the scores, especially education. However, high-executive semantic tasks alone do not allow us to clearly distinguish LLD from AD or aMCI, as both pathologies seem to have a largely dialectical influential relationship, but low-executive semantic tasks appear as more sensible to this pathological distinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Invernizzi
- Departement of Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium.
- Fonds National de La Recherche Scientifique, Brussel, Belgium.
| | - Alice Bodart
- Departement of Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Laurent Lefebvre
- Departement of Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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Bastin C, Delhaye E. Targeting the function of the transentorhinal cortex to identify early cognitive markers of Alzheimer's disease. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2023:10.3758/s13415-023-01093-5. [PMID: 37024735 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01093-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Initial neuropathology of early Alzheimer's disease accumulates in the transentorhinal cortex. We review empirical data suggesting that tasks assessing cognitive functions supported by the transenthorinal cortex are impaired as early as the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease. These tasks span across various domains, including episodic memory, semantic memory, language, and perception. We propose that all tasks sensitive to Alzheimer-related transentorhinal neuropathology commonly rely on representations of entities supporting the processing and discrimination of items having perceptually and conceptually overlapping features. In the future, we suggest a screening tool that is sensitive and specific to very early Alzheimer's disease to probe memory and perceptual discrimination of highly similar entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Bastin
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août, B30, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Emma Delhaye
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août, B30, 4000, Liège, Belgium
- CICPSI, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Roelofs A. Accounting for word production, comprehension, and repetition in semantic dementia, Alzheimer's dementia, and mild cognitive impairment. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2023; 238:105243. [PMID: 36868157 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2023.105243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
It has been known since Pick (1892, 1904) that word retrieval is commonly impaired in left temporal lobe degeneration. Individuals with semantic dementia (SD), Alzheimer's dementia (AD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) present with word retrieval difficulty, while comprehension is less affected and repetition is preserved. Whereas computational models have elucidated performance in poststroke and progressive aphasias, including SD, simulations are lacking for AD and MCI. Here, the WEAVER++/ARC model, which has provided neurocognitive computational accounts of poststroke and progressive aphasias, is extended to AD and MCI. Assuming a loss of activation capacity in semantic memory in SD, AD, and MCI, the simulations showed that severity variation accounts for 99% of the variance in naming, comprehension, and repetition at the group level and 95% at the individual patient level (N = 49). Other plausible assumptions do less well. This supports a unified account of performance in SD, AD, and MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardi Roelofs
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognition, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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10
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Hwang YM, Na Y, Pyun SB. Development of a categorical naming test in Korean: Standardization and clinical application for patients with stroke. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247118. [PMID: 33606717 PMCID: PMC7895370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop and standardize a new categorical naming test, titled the Categorical Naming Test (CNT), for stroke patients, and to investigate its validity and clinical usefulness for patients with stroke. Materials and methods The CNT was developed based on semantic category, imageability, and psycholinguistic factors such as word frequency and word length. The test materials included two main semantic categories (living objects and artificial objects) comprising 60 items. We standardized the CNT on 221 healthy adults and administered the CNT to 112 stroke patients. Results Internal consistency and concurrent validity of the test were high. The mean total CNT scores varied significantly according to participants’ age, sex, and education. Among healthy controls, the scores for naming living objects were significantly higher than those for artificial objects. The analysis of stroke patients showed that the total CNT score revealed a statistically significant difference based on the patients’ lesion laterality and presence of aphasia, after controlling for age, sex, and education. However, the categorical scores achieved by comparing the naming scores for living and artificial objects showed no significant differences according to lesion laterality, stroke type, and presence of aphasia. Conclusion The CNT is a newly developed version of an overt naming task with high internal consistency validity for stroke patients in Korea. The newly developed CNT can prove useful in evaluating naming ability in stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Mi Hwang
- Brain Convergence Research Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonhye Na
- Brain Convergence Research Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Bom Pyun
- Brain Convergence Research Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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de Almeida RG, Mobayyen F, Antal C, Kehayia E, Nair VP, Schwartz G. Category-specific verb-semantic deficits in Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from static and dynamic action naming. Cogn Neuropsychol 2021; 38:1-26. [PMID: 33455543 DOI: 10.1080/02643294.2020.1858772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the representation and breakdown of verb knowledge employing different syntactic and semantic classes of verbs in a group of individuals with probable Alzheimer's Disease (pAD). In an action naming task with coloured photographs (Fiez & Tranel, 1997. Standardized stimuli and procedures for investigating the retrieval of lexical and conceptual knowledge for action. Memory and Cognition, 25(4), 543-569. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03201129), pAD individuals were impaired for naming actions compared to objects. Verb tense was also affected, with simple-past (e.g., chopped) being more difficult to name than the gerundial form (e.g., chopping). Employing action-naming with short movies depicting events and states, we contrasted three verb classes based on their hypothetical structural and semantic/conceptual properties: argument structure, thematic structure, and conceptual templates. The three classes were: causatives (peel), verbs of perception (hear), and verbs of motion (run) Overall, results suggest that individuals with pAD are selectively impaired for verb tense and thematic assignment, but not conceptual-template complexity. Methodologically, we also show that dynamic scenes are more ecologically valid than static scenes to probe verb knowledge in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto G de Almeida
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of greater Montreal--Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Laval, Canada
| | | | - Caitlyn Antal
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Eva Kehayia
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of greater Montreal--Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Laval, Canada
| | - Vasavan P Nair
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - George Schwartz
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Lee MS, Kim BS. Effects of working memory intervention on language production by individuals with dementia. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2020; 31:1557-1581. [PMID: 32677586 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1789479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of working memory intervention on language production by people with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). A total of 39 AD patients, 21 with mild AD and 18 with moderate AD and 18 normal controls were given 18 sessions of working memory intervention. After these sessions, the transfer effects and maintenance effects at the 3-month follow-up were assessed. A word-span task and a digit-span task were used to evaluate working memory. Language-production abilities were compared through four tasks: a verbal fluency, a confrontation naming, a word definition, and a picture-description task. Task performances of working memory and language production were the lowest in the baseline stage and the highest in the transfer-effect stage. The three groups had transfer effects in all tasks, while the maintenance effects were limited by groups and tasks. This study proves that working memory intervention for AD patients is effective for language production. In addition, we have paved the way for working memory intervention to improve language production by AD patients in clinical settings by presenting the transfer and maintenance effect for each task of language production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Sook Lee
- Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Hallym University of Graduate Studies, HUGS Center for Hearing and Speech Research, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bo Seon Kim
- Seoul Asan Rehabilitation Clinic, Incheon, Korea
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Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Naming of Elderly with Primary Progressive Aphasia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17031095. [PMID: 32050441 PMCID: PMC7036790 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17031095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to conduct a qualitative evaluation by synthesizing previous studies on the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on primary progressive aphasia (PPA)’s naming ability and prove the effects of tDCS mediation on PPA naming using meta-analysis. Methods: This study searched literature published from January 2000 to July 2019 using four academic databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library). The final seven publications were systematically evaluated and meta-analysis was conducted for two papers. The effect size was estimated by a standard mean difference (SMD) using Hedge’s g, and the significance of effect size was confirmed using the 95% confidence interval. Results: The results of seven previous studies’ quality assessments ranged from 15 to 26, which were rated above adequate. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the effect size was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.16–1.47), which was a significant ‘large effect’. Conclusions: This meta-analysis proved that tDCS intervention significantly improved the naming performance of PPA. Future studies must confirm the effects of tDCS on naming intervention by using meta-analysis including many RCT studies.
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Lee MS, Kim BS. Transfer Effects of Working Memory Intervention on Linguistic Abilities in Patients with Dementia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.21848/asr.190095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Working memory training for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients may yield everyday cognitive- linguistic benefits by facilitating transfer effects in multiple domains. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of working memory intervention and differences on transfer effects in type of intervention paradigm like core training (CT) and strategy training (ST).Methods: A total of 24 patients with mild and moderate AD were divided into CT and ST group (n = 12, respectively). After CT and ST interventions, we assessed their transfer effects on linguistic abilities including reading comprehension, figurative language, word fluency, and discourse production. Results: There were three main findings. Firstly, CT group improved significantly in figurative language, word fluency, and discourse production. Secondly, ST group showed the significant intervention gains in figurative language and discourse production. Thirdly, CT group had higher transfer effects in figurative language and discourse production than ST group, while both were similar in other transfer effects.Conclusion: This study proves that effects of working memory intervention for AD patients are different in type of paradigm, and thereby presents a roadmap for increasing the efficacy and utilization of working memory intervention in clinical settings.
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Slegers A, Filiou RP, Montembeault M, Brambati SM. Connected Speech Features from Picture Description in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 65:519-542. [PMID: 30103314 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The language changes that occur over the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) can impact communication abilities and have profound functional consequences. Picture description tasks can be used to approximate everyday communication abilities of AD patients. As various methods and variables have been studied over the years, current knowledge about the most affected features of AD discourse in the context of picture descriptions is difficult to summarize. This systematic review aims to provide researchers with an overview of the most common areas of impairment in AD discourse as they appear in picture description tasks. Based on the 44 articles fulfilling inclusion criteria, our findings reflect a multidimensional pattern of changes in the production (speech rate), syntactic (length of utterance), lexical (word-frequency and use of pronouns), fluency (repetitions and word-finding difficulties), semantic (information units), and discourse (efficiency) domains. We discuss our findings in the light of current research and point to potential scientific and clinical uses of picture description tasks in the context of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Slegers
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Renée-Pier Filiou
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Maxime Montembeault
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Simona Maria Brambati
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Lee MS, Kim BS. Characteristics of Word Fluency in Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.21848/asr.2019.15.2.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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17
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Geary DC. Evolution of Human Sex-Specific Cognitive Vulnerabilities. QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1086/694934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Motzek T, Bueter K, Marquardt G. Investigation of Eligible Picture Categories for Use as Environmental Cues in Dementia-Sensitive Environments. HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL 2016; 10:64-73. [PMID: 27881815 DOI: 10.1177/1937586716679403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Environmental cues, such as pictures, could be helpful in improving room-finding and wayfinding abilities among older patients. The aim of this study was to identify picture categories that are preferred and easily remembered by older patients and cognitively impaired patients and which therefore might be suitable for use as environmental cues in acute care settings. METHODS Twelve pictures were presented to a sample of older patients ( n = 37). The pictures represented different categories: familiarity (familiar vs. unfamiliar), type of shot (close-up vs. wide shot), and picture content (nature vs. animal vs. urban). We tested the patients' votes of preference and abilities to identify and immediately recall pictures. Cognitively impaired patients ( n = 14) were assessed by the abbreviated mental test and the mini mental state examination and were compared with patients without cognitive impairments ( n = 23) using a repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS The results showed a main effect of familiarity on positive vote and recall of pictures. The absence of interaction effects of familiarity and group indicated an overall impact of familiarity on the sample. Within cognitively impaired patients, a significant difference in recall of picture content between urban (20%) and animal (9%) was found. CONCLUSIONS Pictures, which patients were able to relate to in terms of familiarity and the characteristics urban and nature, seem to be suitable for use as environmental cues. Besides functioning as such, we assume, based on literature, that pictures could further enhance the ambiance or serve as prompts for communication and interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Motzek
- 1 Chair for Social and Health Care Buildings and Design, Institute of Buildings and Design, Faculty of Architecture, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kathrin Bueter
- 1 Chair for Social and Health Care Buildings and Design, Institute of Buildings and Design, Faculty of Architecture, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gesine Marquardt
- 1 Chair for Social and Health Care Buildings and Design, Institute of Buildings and Design, Faculty of Architecture, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Zhu H, Zhou P, Alcauter S, Chen Y, Cao H, Tian M, Ming D, Qi H, Wang X, Zhao X, He F, Ni H, Gao W. Changes of intranetwork and internetwork functional connectivity in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. J Neural Eng 2016; 13:046008. [PMID: 27247279 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/13/4/046008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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20
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Geary DC. Can Neglected Tropical Diseases Compromise Human Wellbeing in Sex-, Age-, and Trait-Specific Ways? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004489. [PMID: 27077746 PMCID: PMC4831682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Traits that facilitate competition for reproductive resources or that influence mate choice have evolved to signal resilience to infectious disease and other stressors. As a result, the dynamics of competition and choice can, in theory, be used to generate predictions about sex-, age-, and trait-specific vulnerabilities for any sexually reproducing species, including humans. These dynamics and associated vulnerabilities are reviewed for nonhuman species, focusing on traits that are compromised by exposure to parasites. Using the same approach, sex-, age-, and trait-specific vulnerabilities to parasitic disease are illustrated for children's and adolescent's physical growth and fitness. Suggestions are then provided for widening the assessment of human vulnerabilities to include age-appropriate measures of behavioral (e.g., children's play) and cognitive (e.g., language fluency) traits. These are traits that are likely to be compromised by infection in age- and sex-specific ways. Inclusion of these types of measures in studies of neglected tropic diseases has the potential to provide a more nuanced understanding of how these diseases undermine human wellbeing and may provide a useful means to study the efficacy of associated treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Geary
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
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Zannino GD, Caltagirone C, Carlesimo GA. The contribution of neurodegenerative diseases to the modelling of semantic memory: A new proposal and a review of the literature. Neuropsychologia 2015; 75:274-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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On Colour, Category Effects, and Alzheimer's Disease: A Critical Review of Studies and Further Longitudinal Evidence. Behav Neurol 2015; 2015:960725. [PMID: 26074675 PMCID: PMC4449910 DOI: 10.1155/2015/960725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of colour in object recognition is controversial; in this study, a critical review of previous studies, as well as a longitudinal study, was conducted. We examined whether colour benefits the ability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and normal controls (NC) when naming items differing in colour diagnosticity: living things (LT) versus nonliving things (NLT). Eleven AD patients were evaluated twice with a temporal interval of 3 years; 26 NC were tested once. The participants performed a naming task (colour and greyscale photographs); the impact of nuisance variables (NVs) and potential ceiling effects were also controlled. Our results showed that (i) colour slightly favoured processing of items with higher colour diagnosticity (i.e., LT) in both groups; (ii) AD patients used colour information similarly to NC, retaining this ability over time; (iii) NVs played a significant role as naming predictors in all the participants, relegating domain to a minor plane; and (iv) category effects (better processing of NLT) were present in both groups. Finally, although patients underwent semantic longitudinal impairment, this was independent of colour deterioration. This finding provides better support to the view that colour is effective at the visual rather than at the semantic level of object processing.
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Guidi M, Paciaroni L, Paolini S, Scarpino O, Burn DJ. Semantic profiles in mild cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGY 2015; 30:113-8. [PMID: 26415783 PMCID: PMC4610758 DOI: 10.11138/fneur/2015.30.2.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The temporal and the prefrontal cortices have different roles in semantic information processing: the temporal lobe is where knowledge is stored (Graham and Hodges, 1997), whereas the prefrontal cortex is more specifically involved in executive aspects of semantic processing. Relatively little is known about the semantic profiles of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). This observational study investigated naming and semantic questionnaire performances in three groups of subjects: 10 patients with the amnestic-type MCI prodrome of AD (aMCI), 10 patients with early-stage executive-type MCI in PD (MCI-PD), and 10 normal subjects. The MCI-PD subjects demonstrated inferior performances on a semantic questionnaire, whereas the aMCI group displayed modest difficulties in a naming task. These differences may be explained by topographical differences in pathological involvement. Since the frontal areas are more functionally impaired in PD, we hypothesize that the semantic deficit may be a consequence of a deficiency in control of semantic processing. On the other hand, the semantic deficit in aMCI may be related to a lexical-semantic storage dysfunction resulting from pathological involvement of the temporal lobe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Guidi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, AORMN, Pesaro, Italy
| | | | - Susy Paolini
- Neurology Unit, Geriatric Hospital, INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - David J. Burn
- Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Yoon JH, Na DL, Chin J, Ahn HJ, Lee BH, Suh MK, Kim GH, Kim H. Is phonological-lexical representation preserved in moderate stage Alzheimer disease? Evidence from the efficacy of Korean syllabic cues. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2015; 24:334-8. [PMID: 20811269 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0b013e3181eb2f53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) usually experience naming difficulty due to storage and access problems in phonological-lexical representation. Investigating naming response patterns followed by cueing may help us to understand the underlying mechanism of naming deficits in AD. A total of 221 patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD [Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 0.5, 1, 2] were included as subjects. Sixty items of the Korean version of the Boston Naming Test were given, and upon failure, semantic/syllabic cues were verbally presented. From the results, even in the CDR 2 group, which is considered to be a moderate stage of AD, syllabic cues significantly facilitated correct responses. Our findings are in contrast with previous studies conducted with English-speaking patients, which reported that phonological-lexical representation may have been disrupted in the moderate stage of AD, and that none of the cues facilitated correct word retrieval. The difference may be ascribed to the fact that direct access to the phonological-lexical representation via syllabic cues was possible in the confrontation naming task performed by the Korean patients. It can be concluded that phonological-lexical representation in moderate stage Korean AD might be partially preserved because syllabic cues in AD patients were effective in facilitating target words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hye Yoon
- *Graduate Program of Speech and Language Pathology, Yonsei University †Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine ‡Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Moreno-Martínez FJ, Rodríguez-Rojo IC. The Nombela 2.0 semantic battery: an updated Spanish instrument for the study of semantic processing. Neurocase 2015; 21:773-85. [PMID: 25645383 DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2015.1006644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the Nombela 2.0 semantic battery is presented. This is a new version of its earlier precedent: the battery Nombela (I), in an attempt to improve it (dealing with ceiling effects) and reducing the application time by decreasing the number of tasks. The battery is constructed on a common set of 98 stimuli, including both living and nonliving semantic domains. It consists of five tasks designed to explore category specificity by tapping semantic production and comprehension, using both visual and verbal input. All of the items were rated according to Spanish norms, as stated in a previous study of our group, and all of the tasks were matched across domain on six nuisance variables. The present study has two goals: (i) to make available the updated version (2.0) of the Nombela semantic memory battery and (ii) to characterize and compare the neuropsychological profiles of two different patient groups: mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease, with regard to normal controls.
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Impaired retention is responsible for temporal order memory deficits in mild cognitive impairment. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2013; 143:88-95. [PMID: 23542809 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal order memory, or remembering the order of events, is critical for everyday functioning and is difficult for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It is currently unclear whether these patients have difficulty acquiring and/or retaining such information and whether deficits in these patients are in excess of "normal" age-related declines. Therefore, the current study examined age and disease-related changes in temporal order memory as well as whether memory load played a role in such changes. Young controls (n=25), older controls (n=34), and MCI patients (n=32) completed an experimental task that required the reconstruction of sequences that were 3, 4, or 5 items in length both immediately after presentation (i.e., immediate recall) and again after a 10-min delay (i.e., delayed recall). During the immediate recall phase, there was an effect of age largely due to reduced performance at the two longest span lengths. Older controls and MCI patients only differed during the five span (controls>MCI). During the delayed recall, however, there were significant effects of both age and MCI regardless of span length. In MCI patients, immediate recall was significantly correlated with measures of executive functioning, whereas delayed recall performance was only related to other memory tests. These findings suggest that MCI patients experience initial temporal order memory deficits at the point when information begins to exceed working memory capacity and become dependent on medial temporal lobe functioning. Longer-term deficits are due to an inability to retain information, consistent with the characteristic medial temporal lobe dysfunction in MCI.
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Ofen N, Shing YL. From perception to memory: changes in memory systems across the lifespan. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:2258-67. [PMID: 23623983 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 04/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human memory is not a unitary entity; rather it is thought to arise out of a complex architecture involving interactions between distinct representational systems that specialize in perceptual, semantic, and episodic representations. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging evidence are combined in support of models of memory systems, however most models only capture a 'mature' state of human memory and there is little attempt to incorporate evidence of the contribution of developmental and senescence changes in various processes involved in memory across the lifespan. Here we review behavioral and neuroimaging evidence for changes in memory functioning across the lifespan and propose specific principles that may be used to extend models of human memory across the lifespan. In contrast to a simplistic reduced version of the adult model, we suggest that the architecture and dynamics of memory systems become gradually differentiated during development and that a dynamic shift toward favoring semantic memory occurs during aging. Characterizing transformations in memory systems across the lifespan can illustrate and inform us about the plasticity of human memory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Ofen
- Institute of Gerontology, and the Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States.
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28
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Kivisaari SL, Tyler LK, Monsch AU, Taylor KI. Medial perirhinal cortex disambiguates confusable objects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 135:3757-69. [PMID: 23250887 PMCID: PMC3525054 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aws277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Our brain disambiguates the objects in our cluttered visual world seemingly effortlessly, enabling us to understand their significance and to act appropriately. The role of anteromedial temporal structures in this process, particularly the perirhinal cortex, is highly controversial. In some accounts, the perirhinal cortex is necessary for differentiating between perceptually and semantically confusable objects. Other models claim that the perirhinal cortex neither disambiguates perceptually confusable objects nor plays a unique role in semantic processing. One major hurdle to resolving this central debate is the fact that brain damage in human patients typically encompasses large portions of the anteromedial temporal lobe, such that the identification of individual substructures and precise neuroanatomical locus of the functional impairments has been difficult. We tested these competing accounts in patients with Alzheimer's disease with varying degrees of atrophy in anteromedial structures, including the perirhinal cortex. To assess the functional contribution of each anteromedial temporal region separately, we used a detailed region of interest approach. From each participant, we obtained magnetic resonance imaging scans and behavioural data from a picture naming task that contrasted naming performance with living and non-living things as a way of manipulating perceptual and semantic confusability; living things are more similar to one another than non-living things, which have more distinctive features. We manually traced neuroanatomical regions of interest on native-space cortical surface reconstructions to obtain mean thickness estimates for the lateral and medial perirhinal cortex and entorhinal cortex. Mean cortical thickness in each region of interest, and hippocampal volume, were submitted to regression analyses predicting naming performance. Importantly, atrophy of the medial perirhinal cortex, but not lateral perirhinal cortex, entorhinal cortex or hippocampus, significantly predicted naming performance on living relative to non-living things. These findings indicate that one specific anteromedial temporal lobe region-the medial perirhinal cortex-is necessary for the disambiguation of perceptually and semantically confusable objects. Taken together, these results support a hierarchical account of object processing, whereby the perirhinal cortex at the apex of the ventral object processing system is required to bind properties of not just perceptually, but also semantically confusable objects together, enabling their disambiguation from other similar objects and thus comprehension. Significantly, this model combining a hierarchical object processing architecture with a semantic feature statistic account explains why category-specific semantic impairments for living things are associated with anteromedial temporal lobe damage, and pinpoints the root of this syndrome to perirhinal cortex damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasa L Kivisaari
- Memory Clinic, Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, CH, Switzerland
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Verma M, Howard RJ. Semantic memory and language dysfunction in early Alzheimer's disease: a review. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2012; 27:1209-17. [PMID: 22298328 DOI: 10.1002/gps.3766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Language impairment in Alzheimer's disease occurs early, and language function deteriorates with progression of the illness to cause significant disability. This review focuses on language dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and the contribution of semantic memory impairment. METHODS Electronic publication databases were searched for literature relevant to the review. Additionally, individual references were examined to elicit further studies not found by online search. RESULTS Language impairment in Alzheimer's disease initially affects verbal fluency and naming before breakdown in other facets. Naming and fluency require integrity of semantic concepts, and dysfunction may be a marker of primary semantic memory impairment rather than overall cognitive decline. Research suggests the presence of semantic loss several years prior to diagnosis. Imaging studies indicate an altered connectivity state with respect to language networks, and this is associated with potential semantic failure. This state may also be present in individuals with established risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Compensatory recruitment of alternative cortical areas to supplement language function appears to occur and may be a target for future intervention. CONCLUSIONS Identifying and classifying the nature and degree of language impairment more closely could aid in developing targeted therapies. Treatments already established in other aphasic states, such as post-stroke, may be especially relevant. The nature of these and the protective nature of cognitive reserve are potential therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Verma
- Dept. of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF.
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30
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Laws KR, Irvine K. Do women with Alzheimer’s disease demonstrate greater cognitive deterioration? Neurodegener Dis Manag 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/nmt.12.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Laws
- Department of Psychology, School of Life & Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Karen Irvine
- Department of Psychology, School of Life & Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
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The missing link between faces and names: Evidence from Alzheimer’s disease patients. Brain Cogn 2012; 80:250-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2012.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Revised: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Moreno-Martínez FJ, Goñi-Imízcoz M, Spitznagel MB. Domain or not domain? That is the question: Longitudinal semantic deterioration in Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Cogn 2011; 77:89-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2011] [Revised: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Bramão I, Reis A, Petersson KM, Faísca L. The role of color information on object recognition: a review and meta-analysis. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2011; 138:244-53. [PMID: 21803315 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2011.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Revised: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 06/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we systematically review the scientific literature on the effect of color on object recognition. Thirty-five independent experiments, comprising 1535 participants, were included in a meta-analysis. We found a moderate effect of color on object recognition (d=0.28). Specific effects of moderator variables were analyzed and we found that color diagnosticity is the factor with the greatest moderator effect on the influence of color in object recognition; studies using color diagnostic objects showed a significant color effect (d=0.43), whereas a marginal color effect was found in studies that used non-color diagnostic objects (d=0.18). The present study did not permit the drawing of specific conclusions about the moderator effect of the object recognition task; while the meta-analytic review showed that color information improves object recognition mainly in studies using naming tasks (d=0.36), the literature review revealed a large body of evidence showing positive effects of color information on object recognition in studies using a large variety of visual recognition tasks. We also found that color is important for the ability to recognize artifacts and natural objects, to recognize objects presented as types (line-drawings) or as tokens (photographs), and to recognize objects that are presented without surface details, such as texture or shadow. Taken together, the results of the meta-analysis strongly support the contention that color plays a role in object recognition. This suggests that the role of color should be taken into account in models of visual object recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Bramão
- Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology & Bioengineering/CBME, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
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Goudour A, Samson S, Bakchine S, Ehrle N. Agnosic or semantic impairment in very mild Alzheimer's disease? NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2011; 18:230-253. [PMID: 21360357 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2010.540643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated object recognition impairment and the existence of category effects in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. A battery of tests was designed to assess the deterioration of semantic memory and/or the existence of agnosia by evaluating visual and auditory naming, knowledge of structural descriptions (pre-semantic representation of an object within each perceptual system) and conceptual knowledge. The group of Alzheimer's patients were impaired in all experimental tests as compared to healthy participants. This result suggests an impairment of multiple levels of object integration processing even at an early stage of the disease. The patients also demonstrated a category effect with massive difficulties in recognizing human actions and musical instruments as compared to the other categories. This study provides an innovative clinical tool for exploring the recognition of visual and auditory objects at different levels of representation, allowing for the description of early signs of Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Goudour
- Service de Neurologie & CMRR Champagne-Ardenne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, France
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Moreno-Martinez FJ, Montoro PR, Laws KR. A set of high quality colour images with Spanish norms for seven relevant psycholinguistic variables: the Nombela naming test. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2011; 18:293-327. [PMID: 21298582 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2010.540849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a new corpus of 140 high quality colour images belonging to 14 subcategories and covering a range of naming difficulty. One hundred and six Spanish speakers named the items and provided data for several psycholinguistic variables: age of acquisition, familiarity, manipulability, name agreement, typicality and visual complexity. Furthermore, we also present lexical frequency data derived internet search hits. Apart from the large number of variables evaluated, these stimuli present an important advantage with respect to other comparable image corpora in so far as naming performance in healthy individuals is less prone to ceiling effect problems. Reliability and validity indexes showed that our items display similar psycholinguistic characteristics to those of other corpora. In sum, this set of ecologically valid stimuli provides a useful tool for scientists engaged in cognitive and neuroscience-based research.
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Wierenga CE, Stricker NH, McCauley A, Simmons A, Jak AJ, Chang YL, Nation DA, Bangen KJ, Salmon DP, Bondi MW. Altered brain response for semantic knowledge in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychologia 2010; 49:392-404. [PMID: 21163275 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2010] [Revised: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Word retrieval deficits are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are thought to reflect a degradation of semantic memory. Yet, the nature of semantic deterioration in AD and the underlying neural correlates of these semantic memory changes remain largely unknown. We examined the semantic memory impairment in AD by investigating the neural correlates of category knowledge (e.g., living vs. nonliving) and featural processing (global vs. local visual information). During event-related fMRI, 10 adults diagnosed with mild AD and 22 cognitively normal (CN) older adults named aloud items from three categories for which processing of specific visual features has previously been dissociated from categorical features. Results showed widespread group differences in the categorical representation of semantic knowledge in several language-related brain areas. For example, the right inferior frontal gyrus showed selective brain response for nonliving items in the CN group but living items in the AD group. Additionally, the AD group showed increased brain response for word retrieval irrespective of category in Broca's homologue in the right hemisphere and rostral cingulate cortex bilaterally, which suggests greater recruitment of frontally mediated neural compensatory mechanisms in the face of semantic alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina E Wierenga
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
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37
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Moreno-Martinez FJ. Size matters: a study on naming and size knowledge in dementia of the Alzheimer type. Neurocase 2010; 16:494-502. [PMID: 20544501 DOI: 10.1080/13554791003730626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Category-specificity was longitudinally studied over a period of 12 months in seven Alzheimer disease patients, with two semantic tasks differing with respect to verbal processing demands: picture naming and a size ordering task. Items from each task were matched on all cognitive and psycholinguistic variables known to differ across domains (living-nonliving). Naming performance of patients was poorer than that of normal controls. Regarding category-specific effects, while naming performance of patients was parallel to that of normal controls, patients' performance with the size ordering task revealed a different scaling of living things while that of nonliving things mirrored performance of normal controls. This suggests that caution is needed when the picture naming task is exclusively used to document category-specific effects.
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38
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Impaired word recognition in Alzheimer's disease: The role of age of acquisition. Neuropsychologia 2010; 48:3329-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2010] [Revised: 07/06/2010] [Accepted: 07/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Adlington RL, Laws KR, Gale TM. Visual processing in Alzheimer's disease: Surface detail and colour fail to aid object identification. Neuropsychologia 2009; 47:2574-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Revised: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/10/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Adlington RL, Laws KR, Gale TM. The Hatfield Image Test (HIT): A new picture test and norms for experimental and clinical use. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2009; 31:731-53. [DOI: 10.1080/13803390802488103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith R. Laws
- a School of Psychology , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, UK
| | - Tim M. Gale
- a School of Psychology , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, UK
- b Department of Psychiatry , QEII Hospital , Welwyn Garden City, UK
- c School of Computer Science , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, UK
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Gale TM, Irvine K, Laws KR, Ferrissey S. The naming profile in Alzheimer patients parallels that of elderly controls. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2009; 31:565-74. [DOI: 10.1080/13803390802360542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tim M. Gale
- a School of Psychology , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, UK
- b Department of Psychiatry , QEII Hospital , Welwyn Garden City, UK
- c School of Computer Science , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, UK
| | - Karen Irvine
- a School of Psychology , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, UK
| | - Keith R. Laws
- a School of Psychology , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, UK
| | - Sue Ferrissey
- b Department of Psychiatry , QEII Hospital , Welwyn Garden City, UK
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Moreno-Martínez FJ, Laws KR, Schulz J. The impact of dementia, age and sex on category fluency: greater deficits in women with Alzheimer's disease. Cortex 2008; 44:1256-64. [PMID: 18761139 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2007.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2007] [Revised: 07/09/2007] [Accepted: 11/21/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A category specific effect in naming tasks has been reported in patients with Alzheimer's dementia. Nonetheless, naming tasks are frequently affected by methodological problems, e.g., ceiling effects for controls and "nuisance variables" that may confound results. Semantic fluency tasks could help to address some of these methodological difficulties, because they are not prone to producing ceiling effects and are less influenced by nuisance variables. One hundred and thirty-three participants (61 patients with probable AD; and 72 controls: 36 young and 36 elderly) were evaluated with semantic fluency tasks in 14 semantic categories. Category fluency was affected both by dementia and by age: while in nonliving-thing categories there were differences among the three groups, in living thing categories larger lexical categories produced bigger differences among groups. Sex differences in fluency emerged, but these were moderated both by age and by pathology. In particular, fluency was smaller in female than male Alzheimer patients for almost every subcategory.
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Hernández M, Costa A, Juncadella M, Sebastián-Gallés N, Reñé R. Category-specific semantic deficits in Alzheimer's disease: a semantic priming study. Neuropsychologia 2007; 46:935-46. [PMID: 18191959 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2007] [Revised: 10/17/2007] [Accepted: 11/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Category-specific semantic deficits in individuals suffering brain damage after relatively focal lesions provide an important source of evidence about the organization of semantic knowledge. However, whether Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which the brain damage is more widespread, affects semantic categories to a different extent is still controversial. In the present study, we assess this issue by means of the semantic priming technique. AD patients with a mild impairment of their semantic knowledge showed comparable priming effects to that of controls for the categories of animals and artifacts. Interestingly, however, patients with a moderate impairment of their semantic knowledge showed a normal priming effect for animals but a very reduced priming effect (if any) for artifacts. These results reveal that AD may affect the semantic knowledge of different semantic categories to a different extent. The implications of this observation for current theoretical accounts of semantic representation in the brain are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Hernández
- GRNC, Parc Científic Universitat de Barcelona & Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Spain
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