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Petersen LS, Vestergaard M, Meisner MW, Foldager M, Simonsen E. Atypical semantic cognition in schizotypal personality disorder and borderline personality disorder. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38704611 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2340813] [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: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Increased schizotypal traits have previously been associated with atypical semantic cognition in community samples. However, no study has yet examined whether adults diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) display atypical semantic fluency and memory. We hypothesized that 24 adults diagnosed with SPD would name more idiosyncratic words on the semantic fluency task and show decreased semantic recall for animal and fruit category words compared with 29 participants with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and a community sample of 96 age-matched controls. We examined whether atypical semantic cognition was specifically associated with disorganized and eccentric speech and thinking, or more broadly with pathological personality traits and personality functioning. Our main hypothesis was confirmed, as the SPD participants named more idiosyncratic words and recalled fewer semantically related words compared with controls. Surprisingly, participants with BPD likewise named more atypical words compared with controls. More idiosyncratic semantic fluency was associated with more eccentric speech and thinking. Increased idiosyncratic semantic fluency and reduced semantic recall were both coupled to increased detachment and lowered personality functioning, while reduced semantic recall further was related to increased interpersonal problems. Our findings suggest that persons with SPD, and to a lesser degree BPD, show atypical semantic cognition, which is associated with eccentric speech and thinking, and more broadly with impaired personality function, social withdrawal, and emotional flatness. The idiosyncratic semantic cognition may worsen difficulties with social reciprocity seen in SPD and BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea S Petersen
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Vestergaard
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Maria W Meisner
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - Malene Foldager
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Mental Health Services East, Copenhagen University Hospital, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Denmark
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Foldager M, Vestergaard M, Lassen J, Petersen LS, Oranje B, Aggernaes B, Simonsen E. Atypical Semantic Fluency and Recall in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders Associated with Autism Symptoms and Adaptive Functioning. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:4280-4292. [PMID: 36001194 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05677-x] [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] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
It is unclear whether children with autism spectrum disorders have atypical semantic fluency and lower memory for the semantics of words. Therefore, we examined semantic typicality, fluency and recall for the categories of fruits and animals in 60 children with autism aged 7-15 years (boys: 48/girls: 12) compared to 60 typically developing controls. Relative to controls, the autism group had reduced animal fluency, fruit typicality and recall for fruits. Notably, these measures were associated with more autistic-like symptoms and/or lower adaptive functioning across the autism and control groups. In conclusion, atypical semantics of fruits in the autism group may reflect development of idiosyncratic semantic networks while their lower semantic fluency and recall suggest impaired executive language functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Foldager
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Smedegade 16, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Martin Vestergaard
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Smedegade 16, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Jonathan Lassen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Smedegade 16, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Lea S Petersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - Bob Oranje
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) & Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Psychiatric Center Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, København, Denmark
| | - Bodil Aggernaes
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Smedegade 16, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- PP Clinic Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
- Mental Health Services East, Copenhagen University Hospital, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Region Zealand, Denmark
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Wright LM, De Marco M, Venneri A. Current Understanding of Verbal Fluency in Alzheimer's Disease: Evidence to Date. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:1691-1705. [PMID: 37179686 PMCID: PMC10167999 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s284645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Since their development, verbal fluency tests (VFTs) have been used extensively throughout research and in clinical settings to assess a variety of cognitive functions in diverse populations. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), these tasks have proven particularly valuable in identifying the earliest forms of cognitive decline in semantic processing and have been shown to relate specifically to brain regions associated with the initial stages of pathological change. In recent years, researchers have developed more nuanced techniques to evaluate verbal fluency performance, extracting a wide range of cognitive metrics from these simple neuropsychological tests. Such novel techniques allow for a more detailed exploration of the cognitive processes underlying successful task performance beyond the raw test score. The versatility of VFTs and the richness of data they may provide, in light of their low cost and speed of administration, therefore, highlight their potential value both in future research as outcome measures for clinical trials and in a clinical setting as a screening measure for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Wright
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Matteo De Marco
- Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, UK
| | - Annalena Venneri
- Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, UK
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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López-Higes R, Rubio-Valdehita S, Llorente-Morales C, Sánchez-Beato A, Delgado-Lima AH, Delgado-Losada ML. Animals in multidimensional space: Interpreting coordinates throughout lexical-semantic features in mild cognitive impairment and control subjects. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2022; 43:1018-1031. [PMID: 35341460 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2022.2057443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Semantic verbal fluency is a useful neuropsychological tool since it involves language and executive abilities that can be impaired in patients with neurodegenerative diseases in comparison to healthy controls. The present study explores retrieve and executive control processes using traditional quantitative and qualitative raw scores and examines the utility of multidimensional scaling combined with linear regression to provide new insights about the underlying semantic network in mild cognitive impairment and in healthy older adults. METHOD A total of 165 Spanish older adults, 81 patients and 84 controls, were assessed in different cognitive domains and evoked animal names in one minute. Group differences on fluency raw scores were first explored. Regressions using tests to predict groups' fluency scores were also performed. The 12 animals that had been produced more frequently were selected to perform a multidimensional scaling analysis for each group. Four features related to animal names were extracted from normative studies and then were used as predictors in linear regression to provide an interpretation of the resulting dimensions' coordinates. RESULTS Patients performed worse on memory and naming and produced a shorter list of animals than controls. In controls, naming and visual memory explained a small part of variance related to the total of animals produced and to the number of switches. Both groups exhibited similar semantic maps. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that patients' map is influenced by words with a dense associative neighborhood that were acquired at an early age, whereas in controls none of the predictors explained dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón López-Higes
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Rubio-Valdehita
- Department of Social, Work and Differential Psychology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas S/n, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
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Tiedt HO, Ehlen F, Wyrobnik M, Klostermann F. Thalamic but Not Subthalamic Neuromodulation Simplifies Word Use in Spontaneous Language. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:656188. [PMID: 34093151 PMCID: PMC8173144 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.656188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Several investigations have shown language impairments following electrode implantation surgery for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in movement disorders. The impact of the actual stimulation, however, differs between DBS targets with further deterioration in formal language tests induced by thalamic DBS in contrast to subtle improvement observed in subthalamic DBS. Here, we studied speech samples from interviews with participants treated with DBS of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) for essential tremor (ET), or the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for Parkinson’s disease (PD), and healthy volunteers (each n = 13). We analyzed word frequency and the use of open and closed class words. Active DBS increased word frequency in case of VIM, but not STN stimulation. Further, relative to controls, both DBS groups produced fewer open class words. Whereas VIM DBS further decreased the proportion of open class words, it was increased by STN DBS. Thus, VIM DBS favors the use of relatively common words in spontaneous language, compatible with the idea of lexical simplification under thalamic stimulation. The absence or even partial reversal of these effects in patients receiving STN DBS is of interest with respect to biolinguistic concepts suggesting dichotomous thalamic vs. basal ganglia roles in language processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Ole Tiedt
- Department of Neurology, Motor and Cognition Group, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felicitas Ehlen
- Department of Neurology, Motor and Cognition Group, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Jüdisches Krankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michelle Wyrobnik
- Department of Neurology, Motor and Cognition Group, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Klostermann
- Department of Neurology, Motor and Cognition Group, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Paek EJ, Murray LL. Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Verb Fluency Performance in Individuals With Probable Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Older Adults. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2021; 30:481-490. [PMID: 32551834 DOI: 10.1044/2019_ajslp-19-00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To date, verb fluency tasks have been mainly analyzed quantitatively for individuals with dementia. Qualitative analysis, however, such as examining the semantic and psycholinguistic content of the responses might further inform researchers and clinicians about patients' cognitive and linguistic status. Therefore, the current study examined psycholinguistic and lexical characteristics of verb fluency responses in individuals with probable Alzheimer's disease (pAD) and healthy older adults to delineate qualitative and quantitative differences between the two groups. Method The verb fluency responses from participants with pAD (amnestic type) were compared to those from age- and education-matched healthy older adults. The responses were analyzed with respect to the number and proportion of correct responses, word frequency, age of acquisition, phoneme and syllable length, and neighborhood density. The verb responses were also categorized into mental state verbs and action verbs. Additionally, a battery of cognitive-linguistic tests was administered, and for each group, relationships between correct verb fluency responses and other cognitive-linguistic skills were investigated using correlation and regression analyses. Results Similar to previous findings regarding noun retrieval in dementia, the results revealed that individuals with pAD not only produced fewer correct verb fluency responses but also generated little to no mental state verbs compared to the control group. The group with pAD also produced verbs with shorter phoneme and syllable lengths, higher word frequency, and earlier age of acquisition ratings relative to the healthy older adults. The number of correct verb fluency responses was mainly predicted by a reading comprehension score in the pAD group and a nonverbal fluency test score in the healthy group. Conclusion The current quantitative and qualitative findings add support to the contention that lexical-semantic impairments underlie word retrieval problems in pAD and such difficulties present in generative naming paradigms and also across grammatical categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jin Paek
- Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Knoxville
| | - Laura L Murray
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Quaranta D, Piccininni C, Caprara A, Malandrino A, Gainotti G, Marra C. Semantic Relations in a Categorical Verbal Fluency Test: An Exploratory Investigation in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2797. [PMID: 31920840 PMCID: PMC6927990 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Categorical verbal fluency tests (CFT) are commonly used to assess the integrity of semantic memory in individuals with brain damage. Persons with Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type display a reduced output on CFT, and a similar pattern has been reported in persons with amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI). The aims of the present study were to assess whether the semantic relations between lexical entries produced on a categorical fluency test were different between healthy persons and those with aMCI, and whether this difference was more pronounced in individuals who converted to dementia during a 3-year follow-up period. Methods We recruited 34 individuals with aMCI and 29 matched healthy persons. During the follow-up period, 10 individuals converted to Dementia (aMCI-conv). Two measures assessing semantic relations between consecutively produced word pairs (Path length and Extended Gloss Overlap) were obtained from the Wordnet database. Results The number of word pairs analyzed among the healthy participants (HP) and persons with aMCI were 498 (birds: 262; pieces of furniture: 236) and 395 (birds: 174; pieces of furniture: 221), respectively. Path length was lower in aMCI-conv than in HP (p = 0.035), but no differences were found between stable aMCI and HP, and between aMCI-stable and aMCI-conv. The ANOVA for lexical entries belonging to the "birds" category showed a significant effect of group (F = 5.630; p = 0.004); the post hoc analysis showed a significant difference between HP and aMCI-conv (p = 0.003). The "pieces of furniture" category was significantly affected by group (F = 4.107; p = 0.017); the post hoc test showed significant differences between aMCI-conv and healthy individuals (p = 0.049), and between aMCI-conv and stable aMCI (p = 0.001). Discussion Individuals with aMCI who convert to dementia show a deterioration in the semantic relations between lexical entries, produced on a CFT. This phenomenon may be interpreted as a marker of a very early disruption of semantic memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Quaranta
- Area of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Piccininni
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Caprara
- Area of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Malandrino
- Area of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Gainotti
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Camillo Marra
- Area of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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Quaranta D, Caprara A, Piccininni C, Vita MG, Gainotti G, Marra C. Standardization, Clinical Validation, and Typicality Norms of a New Test Assessing Semantic Verbal Fluency. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2016; 31:434-45. [PMID: 27353431 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acw034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Semantic verbal fluency (SVF) tests are widely used in clinical neuropsychology. We propose the standardization and clinical validation of a new SVF test based on the production of names of birds and articles of furniture (Birds and Articles of Furniture test-BAF). METHODS A sample of 268 subjects aged 40 years or more underwent the test. The clinical validation was conducted on subjects affected by amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI; N = 106), mild (N = 178), and moderate (N = 114) Alzheimer's disease (AD). RESULTS The BAF total score was influenced by both age and education, whereas the single scores obtained on BAF were also influenced by gender. The percentage of subjects with pathological score on BAF increased from aMCI (19%) to mild (45.5%) and moderate (71.1%) AD, and receiver operating characteristic curves analysis showed that the BAF may be highly reliable in distinguishing aMCI and AD patients from healthy subjects. We also provide typicality norms for birds and articles of furniture that could be useful in the assessment of qualitative features of words produced in semantic fluency tests. CONCLUSIONS The BAF test could be a valid and reliable tool in both clinical practice and research on subjects affected by cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Quaranta
- Research Center for Neuropsychology, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Caprara
- Research Center for Neuropsychology, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Piccininni
- Research Center for Neuropsychology, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria G Vita
- Research Center for Neuropsychology, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Gainotti
- Research Center for Neuropsychology, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Camillo Marra
- Research Center for Neuropsychology, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Rodríguez-Aranda C, Waterloo K, Johnsen SH, Eldevik P, Sparr S, Wikran GC, Herder M, Vangberg TR. Neuroanatomical correlates of verbal fluency in early Alzheimer's disease and normal aging. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2016; 155-156:24-35. [PMID: 27062691 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Verbal fluency (VF) impairments occur early in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to a lesser extent also in normal aging. However, the neural underpinnings of these impairments are not fully understood. The present study evaluated whether VF impairments in early AD and normal aging rely upon common or different neuroanatomical correlates. We examined the association between VF performance and brain structure in 18 mild AD patients and 24 healthy elderly. Linear regressions were performed between accuracy and time intervals in VF scores and structural measurements of cerebral gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) using MRI. Results showed that semantic VF correlated exclusively with GM in cerebellum, left temporal fusiform cortex, and WM in uncinate fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and corpus callosum. Phonemic VF showed unique associations between intervals and WM in left-hemisphere tracts. The association between GM in hippocampus, subcortical structures and semantic accuracy differentiated patients from controls. Results showed that VF impairments are primarily associated with same structural brain changes in AD as in healthy elderly but at exaggerated levels. However, specific VF deficiencies and their underlying neural correlates exist and these clearly differentiate the initial stages of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Knut Waterloo
- Department of Psychology, UiT The Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Neurology, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Stein Harald Johnsen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Brain and Circulation Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Petter Eldevik
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Sigurd Sparr
- Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gry C Wikran
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marit Herder
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Torgil Riise Vangberg
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Medical Imaging Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Weakley A, Schmitter-Edgecombe M. Analysis of verbal fluency ability in Alzheimer's disease: the role of clustering, switching and semantic proximities. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2014; 29:256-68. [PMID: 24687588 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acu010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The underlying nature of verbal fluency deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) was investigated in this study. Participants were 48 individuals with AD and 48 cognitively healthy older adults. Fluency performance on letter and category tasks was analyzed across two 30-s intervals for total words produced, mean cluster size, and total switches. Compared with the control group, AD participants produced fewer words and switches on both fluency tasks and had a reduced category cluster size. The AD group was differentially impaired on category compared with letter fluency and produced more repetitive responses but fewer category exemplars than controls on the category task. A multidimensional scaling approach revealed that AD participants' semantic maps were similar to controls. Overall, the data suggest that executive abilities involving search and retrieval processes and a reduced availability of semantically related words contributed to the AD group's poorer performance despite similar temporal recall and organizational patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Weakley
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
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Clustering and switching strategies during verbal fluency performance differentiate Alzheimer's disease and healthy aging. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2011; 17:1153-7. [PMID: 22014065 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617711001196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Clustering and switching strategies during phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tasks as defined by Troyer et al. (1997), Abwender et al. (2001), and Lanting et al. (2009) were compared using archival data to determine which scoring procedures best differentiate healthy older adults (n = 26) from individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 26). Total word production showed the largest group difference, especially for semantic fluency. The AD group produced fewer switches when compared to the healthy control group, whereas the groups did not differ in cluster size. The AD group also accessed fewer novel semantic subcategories, presumably due to reduced access to semantic memory storage rather than lower processing speed. Clustering and switching scores on the phonemic task did not add information above total words produced, consistent with previous research indicating these variables are most informative in relation to semantic fluency.
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Morelli CA, Altmann LJP, Kendall D, Fischler I, Heilman KM. Effects of semantic elaboration and typicality on picture naming in Alzheimer disease. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2011; 44:413-428. [PMID: 21546038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2011.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2009] [Revised: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Individuals with probable Alzheimer disease (pAD) are frequently impaired at picture naming. This study examined whether a semantic elaboration task would facilitate naming in pAD, and whether training either semantically typical or atypical stimulus items facilitated generalized improvement in picture naming and category generation tasks. METHODS Twelve adults with mild-moderate pAD participated in the study. Participants performed an experimental semantic elaboration training task using a subset of typical items from one category and atypical items from another category. The third category, acted as a control (i.e., no items were trained). The study assessed change in category generation and a picture naming within the three target categories. RESULTS Individuals showed significantly improved category generation and naming, but changes were not limited to trained categories. Naming of trained atypical items improved significantly. Participants showed significantly improved naming of untrained typical items from categories trained with typical items. CONCLUSIONS Semantic elaboration of typical items within a semantic category can lead to generalized improvement in other typical items in the category in mild-moderate pAD. This is consistent with theories postulating that typical category items share overlapping distributed representations. Further exploration of the effects of semantic elaboration on word-finding in pAD is warranted, especially the possibility of within-category generalization.
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Adlam ALR, Patterson K, Bozeat S, Hodges JR. The Cambridge Semantic Memory Test Battery: detection of semantic deficits in semantic dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Neurocase 2010; 16:193-207. [PMID: 20408046 DOI: 10.1080/13554790903405693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this study were (a) to explore the utility of, and make more widely available, an updated and extended version of the Cambridge Semantic Memory test battery, and (b) to use this battery in conjunction with other tests to characterise the profile of several different forms of progressive cognitive impairment: semantic dementia (SD, n = 15), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 7), established Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n = 8), all in comparison to normal controls (n = 45). The semantic battery is useful in a variety of ways for exploring the nature of semantic deficits; on its own, however, it does not provide sensitive differentiation between patients with AD and SD. An assessment including measures of episodic memory and visuospatial abilities as well as the semantic battery is recommended for good characterisation of the cognitive profiles associated with SD and AD.
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Haugrud N, Lanting S, Crossley M. The effects of age, sex and Alzheimer's disease on strategy use during verbal fluency tasks. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2009; 17:220-39. [PMID: 19642046 DOI: 10.1080/13825580903042700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Clustering and switching strategies during phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tasks were investigated in healthy adults (n = 193, 86 males, 20-90 years) in young, middle-aged, young-old, and old-old age groups (Study 1). Older groups produced fewer total words and lower switching scores; males relied more on clustering and females on switching to produce equivalent output. In Study 2, early Alzheimer's disease participants, compared to healthy older adults, (n = 26 per group) produced fewer total words and smaller average clusters. Sex, age, and clinical differences on switching and clustering strategies support a dual processing model of verbal fluency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Haugrud
- Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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15
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Knobel M, Finkbeiner M, Caramazza A. The many places of frequency: evidence for a novel locus of the lexical frequency effect in word production. Cogn Neuropsychol 2008; 25:256-86. [PMID: 18568814 DOI: 10.1080/02643290701502425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The effect of lexical frequency on language-processing tasks is exceptionally reliable. For example, pictures with higher frequency names are named faster and more accurately than those with lower frequency names. Experiments with normal participants and patients strongly suggest that this production effect arises at the level of lexical access. Further work has suggested that within lexical access this effect arises at the level of lexical representations. Here we present patient E.C. who shows an effect of lexical frequency on his nonword error rate. The best explanation of his performance is that there is an additional locus of frequency at the interface of lexical and segmental representational levels. We confirm this hypothesis by showing that only computational models with frequency at this new locus can produce a similar error pattern to that of patient E.C. Finally, in an analysis of a large group of Italian patients, we show that there exist patients who replicate E.C.'s pattern of results and others who show the complementary pattern of frequency effects on semantic error rates. Our results combined with previous findings suggest that frequency plays a role throughout the process of lexical access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Knobel
- Cognitive Neuropsychology Laboratory, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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16
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Radanovic M, Carthery-Goulart MT, Charchat-Fichman H, Herrera E, Lima EEP, Smid J, Porto CS, Nitrini R. Analysis of brief language tests in the detection of cognitive decline and dementia. Dement Neuropsychol 2007; 1:37-45. [PMID: 29213366 PMCID: PMC5619382 DOI: 10.1590/s1980-57642008dn10100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Lexical access difficulties are frequent in normal aging and initial stages of
dementia.Verbal fluency tests are valuable to detect cognitive decline,
evidencing lexico-semantic and executive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Radanovic
- MD, MSc, PhD in Neurology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Carthery-Goulart
- MSc in Neuroscience, PhD in Neurology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helenice Charchat-Fichman
- MSc, PhD in Neuroscience, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Emílio Herrera
- MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Catanduva School of Medicine, Catanduva, Brazil
| | - Edson Erasmo Pereira Lima
- Post Graduate Student, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jerusa Smid
- Post Graduate Student, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Sellitto Porto
- MSc, PhD in Neurology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nitrini
- MD, PhD, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, and Cognitive Disorders Reference Center (CEREDIC). Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
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Rodríguez-Aranda C, Waterloo K, Sparr S, Sundet K. Age-related psychomotor slowing as an important component of verbal fluency. J Neurol 2006; 253:1414-27. [PMID: 16773271 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-006-0225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2005] [Accepted: 03/10/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Generalized psychomotor slowing is a characteristic of normal aging, and there is evidence suggesting that this feature is also central in dementia. The present article aims to evaluate the importance of psychomotor slowing as a factor underlying changes in the performance of verbal fluency tasks in normal and pathological aging. In study 1 reading and handwriting speed were used to predict performance on written and oral verbal fluency tasks (VFTs) in healthy elderly subjects (n = 20) and in patients of the Alzheimer type disease (n = 20). In study 2, spectrographic techniques were used to obtain reaction times, average of voice intensity and duration of single word production in young individuals (n = 20), healthy elderly subjects (n = 20), and in patients of the Alzheimer type disease (n = 7). Additionally, duration of single word production were also obtained. The results suggest that age-related psychomotor decline in word production speed is an important determinant of VFT.
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