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The Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Michael A Kraut1, Barbara Cherry, Jeffery A Pitcock
1Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Background:
Between 10% and 15% of patients with the amnestic variety of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) convert to Alzheimer disease (AD) per year.
Objective:
Characterize cognitive markers that may herald conversion from MCI to AD and directly assess semantic memory in patients meeting criteria for amnestic MCI.
Design:
Thirty-five amnestic MCI patients and 121 healthy aging controls enrolled at an Alzheimer Disease Center received a battery of standard neuropsychologic tests, and the Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT), a test that we have developed for the assessment of semantic memory and subsequent name production, and that has been shown to be able to differentiate between normals and patients with AD.
Results:
On the basis of normative data from the SORT, the MCI subjects could be divided into 2 groups: 10 patients (29%) with a significant semantic impairment (SI+) and 25 without a semantic memory deficit (SI-). There was a significant correlation between all SORT variables and performance on the Boston Naming Test. In this MCI population, significantly impaired SORT performance was associated with a relative decrease in performance on tests of frontal lobe functions, although disruption of thalamic-related processes cannot be excluded as an etiology for semantic memory impairment.
Conclusions:
The SORT is a specific test of semantic memory, and is a sensitive measure of semantic memory deficits in patients who otherwise meet criteria for amnestic MCI. Using this specific assessment tool, a significant number of MCI patients were found to have semantic memory deficits. As these patients may be early in the course of possible progression toward dementia, the SORT or other tests of semantic memory may provide important diagnostic or prognostic information in patients with MCI.
Insights
A new Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT) identifies semantic memory deficits in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These deficits may indicate early progression toward Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- 10-15% of patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) convert to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) annually.
- Identifying early cognitive markers for MCI to AD conversion is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize cognitive markers predicting MCI to AD conversion.
- To directly assess semantic memory in patients with amnestic MCI using the Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT).
Main Methods:
- Thirty-five amnestic MCI patients and 121 healthy controls underwent standard neuropsychological testing.
- The newly developed Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT) was administered to assess semantic memory and name retrieval.
- SORT's ability to differentiate between healthy individuals and AD patients was previously established.
Main Results:
- Twenty-nine percent (10/35) of MCI patients exhibited significant semantic impairment (SI+) on the SORT.
- Impaired SORT performance correlated with reduced performance on frontal lobe function tests.
- SORT variables showed significant correlation with Boston Naming Test performance.
Conclusions:
- The SORT is a specific and sensitive tool for detecting semantic memory deficits in amnestic MCI.
- A significant portion of amnestic MCI patients show semantic memory deficits, potentially indicating early AD progression.
- The SORT may offer valuable diagnostic and prognostic information for MCI patients.
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