Semantic Memory Impairment in the Earliest Phases of Alzheimer’s Disease

Vol. 19, No. 2-3, 2005

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Original Research Article

Semantic Memory Impairment in the Earliest Phases of Alzheimer's Disease
Asmus Vogel^a,b, Anders Gade^a,b, Jette Stokholm^a, Gunhild Waldemar^a

^aMemory Disorders Research Unit, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, and
^bDepartment of Psychology, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark

Address of Corresponding Author

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2005;19:75-81 (DOI: 10.1159/000082352)

Key Words

Alzheimer's disease
Semantic memory
Neuropsychology
Mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

The presence and the nature of semantic memory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been widely debated. This study aimed to determine the frequency of impaired semantic test performances in mild AD and to study whether incipient semantic impairments could be identified in predementia AD. Five short neuropsychological tests sensitive to semantic memory and easily applicable in routine practice were administered to 102 patients with mild AD (Mini-Mental State Examination score above 19), 22 predementia AD patients and 58 healthy subjects. 'Category fluency' and 'naming of famous faces' were the most frequently impaired tests in both patient groups. The study demonstrated that impairments on semantically related tests are common in mild AD and may exist prior to the clinical diagnosis. The results imply that assessment of semantic memory is relevant in the evaluation of patients with suspected AD.

Author Contacts

Asmus Vogel
Memory Disorders Research Unit
Rigshospitalet, Neuroscience Centre, 6131, 9 Blegdamsvej
DK-2100 Copenhagen (Denmark)
Tel. +45 3545 6247, Fax +45 3545 2446, E-Mail vogel@rh.dk

Article Information

Accepted: May 9, 2004
Published online: November 29, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 35

Medline Abstract (ID 15572875)

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