Effects of Semantic Impairment on Language Use in Alzheimer's Disease

Altmann, Lori J. P.; McClung, Jill S.

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1061622

Cited by 42 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…In addition, several studies of word priming (Glosser et al, 1998; Milberg et al, 1999; Salmon et al, 1988) have reported significant deficits in Alzheimer dementia patients, although other studies have failed to find this effect (Nebes & Brady, 1988). For a recent review of this area, see Altmann & McClung (2008).…”

Section: Patients With Ad Dementiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in cognition

Albert

2011

Neurobiology of Aging

117

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The clinical hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a gradual decline in cognitive function. For the majority of patients the initial symptom is an impairment in episodic memory, i.e., the ability to learn and retain new information. This is followed by impairments in other cognitive domains (e.g., executive function, language, spatial ability). This impairment in episodic memory is evident among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and can be used to predict likelihood of progression to dementia, particularly in association with AD biomarkers. Additionally, cognitively normal individuals who are likely to progress to mild impairment tend to perform more poorly on tests of episodic memory than do those who remain stable. This cognitive presentation is consistent with the pathology of AD, showing neuronal loss in medial temporal lobe structures essential for normal memory. Similarly, there are correlations between MRI measures of medial temporal lobe structures and memory performance among individuals with MCI. There are recent reports that amyloid accumulation may also be associated with memory performance in cognitively normal individuals.

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Section: Patients With Ad Dementiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in cognition

Albert

2011

Neurobiology of Aging

117

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“…In addition to loss of memory, AD is known for a decline in productive language (Blair, Marczinski, Davis-Faroque & Kertesz, 2007; Kemper, Greiner, Marquis, Prenovost & Mitzner, 2001; Kempler, 1995). Various components of language have been examined in order to specify the nature of the expressive language decline, with the literature predominantly showing a decline in semantically intact communication reflected in reduced productive vocabulary (Altmann & McClung, 2008). In contrast, syntax has been identified as an aspect of language that is relatively preserved in AD (Kempler & Zelinski, 1994), although some controversy in this area remains (Bates, Harris, Marchman & Wulfeck, 1995).…”

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confidence: 99%

Formulaic language in Alzheimer's disease

Bridges

Sidtis

2013

Aphasiology

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Background Studies of productive language in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have focused on formal testing of syntax and semantics but have directed less attention to naturalistic discourse and formulaic language. Clinical observations suggest that individuals with AD retain the ability to produce formulaic language long after other cognitive abilities have deteriorated. Aims This study quantifies production of formulaic expressions in the spontaneous speech of individuals with AD. Persons with early- and late-onset forms of the disease were compared. Methods & Procedures Conversational language samples of individuals with early- (n = 5) and late-onset (n = 6) AD and healthy controls (n = 5) were analyzed to determine whether formulaic language, as measured by the number of words in formulaic expressions, differs between groups. Outcomes & Results Results indicate that individuals with AD, regardless of age of onset, used significantly more formulaic expressions than healthy controls. The early- and late-onset AD groups did not differ on formulaic language measures. Conclusions These findings contribute to a dual process model of cerebral function, which proposes differing processing principles for formulaic and novel expressions. In this model, subcortical areas, which remain intact into late in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, play an important role in the production of formulaic language. Applications to clinical practice include identifying preserved formulaic language and providing informed counseling to patient and family.

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“…A second hypothesis, which is more frequently discussed in the literature, proposes impairment of the semantic system. Indeed, many authors propose the hypothesis of a progressive deterioration of the semantic representations stored in long-term memory [7,8,9,10,11]. Others, such as Rogers and Friedman [12], evoke the possibility of incomplete access to the semantic system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Auditory-Visual Bimodality on Lexical Retrieval in Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Loureiro¹,

Lefèbvre²

2015

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord

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The aim of this study was to generalize the positive impact of auditory-visual bimodality on lexical retrieval in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In practice, the naming skills of healthy elderly persons improve when additional sensory signals are included. The hypothesis of this study was that the same influence would be observable in AD patients. Sixty elderly patients separated into three groups (healthy subjects, stage 1 AD patients, and stage 2 AD patients) were tested with a battery of naming tasks comprising three different modalities: a visual modality, an auditory modality, and a visual and auditory modality (bimodality). Our results reveal the positive influence of bimodality on the accuracy with which bimodal items are named (when compared with unimodal items) and their latency (when compared with unimodal auditory items). These results suggest that multisensory enrichment can improve lexical retrieval in AD patients.

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Effects of Semantic Impairment on Language Use in Alzheimer's Disease

Cited by 42 publications

References 99 publications

Changes in cognition

Changes in cognition

Formulaic language in Alzheimer's disease

Impact of Auditory-Visual Bimodality on Lexical Retrieval in Alzheimer's Disease Patients

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