Research article summary (published 27 Nov 2004):

Semantic memory impairment in the earliest phases of Alzheimer's disease.

Full 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 information

Author/s: Vogel, Asmus (A); Gade, Anders (A); Stokholm, Jette (J); Waldemar, Gunhild (G);

Affiliation: Memory Disorders Research Unit, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. vogel(-atsign-)rh.dk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders (Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord), published in Switzerland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2005-; vol 19 (issue 2-3) : pp 75-81

Dates: Created 2005/02/15; Completed 2005/06/24; Revised 2008/03/24;

PMID: 15572875, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged Aged, 80 and over Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; psychology Amnesia - diagnosis; psychology Anomia - diagnosis; psychology Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; psychology Disease Progression Female Humans Male

Male Mental Recall Mental Status Schedule - statistics & numerical data Middle Aged Neuropsychological Tests - statistics & numerical data Psychometrics - statistics & numerical data Reference Values Reproducibility of Results Semantics Verbal Learning

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