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Evaluation of cognitive functions in the elderly with and without central auditory processing disorder
Caroline Nunes Rocha-Muniz1,2, Tatiane Eisencraft Zalcman1, Renata Alonso1
1Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo - USP - São Paulo (SP), Brasil.
Codas
|December 6, 2023
Summary
Healthy elderly individuals with auditory processing disorders (APD) show similar cognitive function to their peers without APD. The clock drawing test was the only exception, indicating potential challenges in visuospatial processing and executive functions for those with APD.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
Background:
- Auditory processing disorders (APD) can impact communication and cognitive load in elderly individuals.
- Understanding the relationship between APD and cognitive decline is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research has explored cognitive deficits in aging populations, but the specific impact of APD requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare cognitive function performance in elderly individuals with and without auditory processing disorders.
- To investigate potential differences in specific cognitive domains between these two groups.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 28 healthy elderly participants (14 Control, 14 APD group) underwent auditory processing evaluation, P300 event-related potential assessment, and a brief cognitive battery (BCB).
- Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U test for between-group comparisons, Wilcoxon signed-rank test for within-group comparisons, and Spearman's correlation to assess the relationship between auditory processing and cognitive variables.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found between the control and APD groups in cognitive abilities assessed by the BCB.
- P300 cognitive potential variables also showed no significant differences between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals with auditory processing disorders do not exhibit greater overall cognitive difficulties compared to their non-APD counterparts.
- The clock drawing test emerged as an exception, suggesting that APD may be associated with challenges in tasks requiring visuospatial processing, executive functions, semantic memory, and planning.
