Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: June 25, 2019
An examination of semantic performance in mild cognitive impairment progressors and nonprogressors
Emilie Delage1, Isabelle Rouleau1, Marc-Antoine Akzam-Ouellette1
1Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal.
Objective:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), and about half of older people with MCI will progress to AD within the next 5 years. The aim of the present study was to compare the semantic performance of MCI progressors (MCI-p) and nonprogressors (MCI-np). The hypothesis was that MCI-p would present with poorer semantic performance relative to MCI-np at baseline, indicating that semantic deficits may increase the risk of future decline toward AD.
Method:
Fifty-six MCI participants (aged 65-89) from the Consortium for Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease-Quebec study were analyzed, with 18 progressing and 38 remaining stable over 2 years. Analysis of covariance assessed their initial semantic and nonsemantic cognitive performance, and mixed analyses of variance gauged longitudinal patterns of cognitive decline at the 2-year follow-up.
Results:
In the semantic domain, MCI-p performed significantly worse than MCI-np at baseline on two semantic tests (category fluency and object decision). In other cognitive domains, MCI-p performed worse than MCI-np on a test of executive functions (cognitive flexibility) but showed similar performance on a test of episodic memory. There were no significant differences between groups in the rates of progression on semantic tests over the 2-year period, but a steeper decline was observed in MCI-p at follow-up on tests of global cognition, episodic memory, and processing speed.
Conclusion:
This suggest that MCI patients who present with semantic memory impairment in addition to episodic memory impairment are at greater risk of future progression to AD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Insights
Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who show semantic deficits are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Early identification of semantic impairment in MCI may predict future decline toward AD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), with approximately 50% of individuals progressing within five years.
- Understanding predictors of MCI progression is crucial for early intervention and disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the semantic performance of individuals with MCI who progress to AD (MCI-p) versus those who remain stable (MCI-np).
- To investigate whether baseline semantic deficits predict future cognitive decline and progression to Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 56 participants (aged 65-89) from the Consortium for Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease-Quebec study.
- Categorization of participants into MCI progressors (n=18) and non-progressors (n=38) over a 2-year period.
- Assessment of initial semantic and nonsemantic cognitive performance using ANCOVA and longitudinal cognitive decline using repeated measures ANOVA.
Main Results:
- MCI progressors demonstrated significantly poorer baseline performance on semantic tests (category fluency, object decision) compared to MCI non-progressors.
- MCI progressors also showed deficits in executive functions (cognitive flexibility) but not episodic memory at baseline.
- While semantic test progression rates did not differ, MCI progressors exhibited steeper declines in global cognition, episodic memory, and processing speed at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Semantic memory impairment, particularly when co-occurring with episodic memory deficits, is associated with an increased risk of progression from MCI to Alzheimer's disease.
- These findings highlight the potential of semantic performance as an early indicator for Alzheimer's disease risk in individuals with MCI.
More Related Videos
06:23The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: October 13, 2016
11:01Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...