Symbol Comprehension in Patients With Alzheimer Disease Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Previous research suggests that specific symbol features attenuate symbol comprehension deficits in seniors suffering from Alzheimer disease dementia (ADD). However, it remains unclear whether these findings also apply to other disorders associated with cognitive dysfunctions. Methods: Ninety healthy controls, 30 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 35 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 55 patients with ADD performed a Symbol Processing Task with 4 different symbol categories. Nonparametric between×within subjects analyses were conducted to examine the impact of different symbol categories on performance accuracy in all experimental groups. Results: Analyses revealed a higher symbol comprehension accuracy in healthy seniors than in MDD, MCI, and ADD patients, with the lowest accuracy rates shown by ADD patients. Although the type of symbol hardly affected performance accuracy in healthy seniors and MDD patients, different symbol categories influenced the performance of MCI and ADD patients significantly. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that symbols with distracting features impede symbol comprehension in ADD and MCI. Symbols with visual cues, by contrast, facilitate symbol comprehension in ADD and may even be advantageous over standardized symbols used in public life.

Cognitive Impairment and Neurocognitive Profiles in Major Depression—A Clinical Perspective

“…In addition, Jaeger ( 87 ), in a review of the digit symbol substitution test, i.e., a measure of processing speed, cites research that finds consistent impairments in processing speed and effect sizes that increase in elderly MDD populations. This is supported in Boedeker et al ( 74 ), who found deficits in an elderly MDD population. Other studies have shown that patients in remission of recurrent depression also suffer from impairment in processing speed ( 47 , 51 , 53 ).…”

“…Pu et al ( 46 ) found small correlations between an EF composite and depressive symptoms; however, this could vary by specific EF tasks measured ( 63 ). Age could also influence EF deficits, Boedeker et al ( 74 ) found impairments in switching, but no statistically significant differences in inhibition, in an aging MDD sample. Maalouf et al ( 75 ) using a planning task in adolescents with acute and remitted MDD and they stated that planning and impulsivity appear to be state-specific markers of MDD in adolescents, and are related to depression severity and are not persistent in remission, but a relatively small- and poorly matched sample as well as tasks used could explain this.…”

“…Findings are divergent, however, some studies report no attentional deficits measured by digit span in MDD in patients both in the acute depressive state and in remission (47). Consistent with this, Boedeker et al (74) did not find deficits in digit span in an aging MDD sample. This could reflect heterogeneity in the neurocognitive profile.…”

“…Pu et al (46) found small correlations between an EF composite and depressive symptoms; however, this could vary by specific EF tasks measured (63). Age could also influence EF deficits, Boedeker et al (74) found impairments in switching, but no statistically significant differences in inhibition, in an aging MDD sample. Maalouf et al ( 75) using a planning In sum, existing research supports the assumption of a longterm impairment within the EF domain in general, evident in inhibition in particular, with evidence indicating a trait-related profile.…”

Study on Adjuvant Medication for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment Based on VR Technology and Health Education

“…Studies have shown that ltot can effectively improve the cognitive function of elderly patients with COPD, but other studies have shown that ltot has limited effect on the cognitive function of elderly patients with COPD. Therefore, it is still necessary to actively explore a targeted lung rehabilitation training program [ 17 ] for elderly COPD patients with MCI.…”