Patients with amnestic MCI Fail to Adapt Executive Control When Repeatedly Tested with Semantic Verbal Fluency Tasks

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Johannes Tröger ◽  
Hali Lindsay ◽  
Mario Mina ◽  
Nicklas Linz ◽  
Stefan Klöppel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Control ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Semantic Space ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Semantic Verbal Fluency ◽  
Amnestic Mci ◽  
Retrieval Processes ◽  
Theoretical View ◽  
First Time

Abstract Objective: Semantic verbal fluency (SVF) tasks require individuals to name items from a specified category within a fixed time. An impaired SVF performance is well documented in patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI). The two leading theoretical views suggest either loss of semantic knowledge or impaired executive control to be responsible. Method: We assessed SVF 3 times on 2 consecutive days in 29 healthy controls (HC) and 29 patients with aMCI with the aim to answer the question which of the two views holds true. Results: When doing the task for the first time, patients with aMCI produced fewer and more common words with a shorter mean response latency. When tested repeatedly, only healthy volunteers increased performance. Likewise, only the performance of HC indicated two distinct retrieval processes: a prompt retrieval of readily available items at the beginning of the task and an active search through semantic space towards the end. With repeated assessment, the pool of readily available items became larger in HC, but not patients with aMCI. Conclusion: The production of fewer and more common words in aMCI points to a smaller search set and supports the loss of semantic knowledge view. The failure to improve performance as well as the lack of distinct retrieval processes point to an additional impairment in executive control. Our data did not clearly favour one theoretical view over the other, but rather indicates that the impairment of patients with aMCI in SVF is due to a combination of both.

Automated Indices of Clustering and Switching of Semantic Verbal Fluency in Parkinson’s Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1047-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delaram Farzanfar ◽  
Marta Statucka ◽  
Melanie Cohn
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Executive Dysfunction ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Neuropsychological Measures ◽  
Semantic Verbal Fluency ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Computational Data

AbstractObjectives: Deficits in semantic verbal fluency (SVF) can stem from dysfunction of an executive control system and/or of semantic knowledge. Previous analyses of SVF responses were devised to characterize these two components including switching and mean cluster size (MCS) indices, but these rely on subjective experimenter-based assessment of the words’ relatedness. To address this limitation, computational data-driven SVF indices have been developed. Our aim is to assess the validity and usefulness of these automated indices in the context of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: This is a retrospective study including 50 advanced PD patients with (n=28) or without (n=22) mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI). We analyzed animal SVF outputs using an automated computational approach yielding switching, MCS, and cumulative relatedness (CuRel) indices. We compared these indices to the classic experimenter-based switching and MCS indices to assess concurrent validity, and against neuropsychological measures of executive functioning and semantic knowledge to assess construct validity. We also examined whether these indices were impaired and predicted PD-MCI. Results: Automated switching indices, but not MCS or CuRel, showed evidence of concurrent and construct validity, and characterized individual difference in advanced PD. Automated switching indices also outperformed the experimenter-dependent index in predicting the presence of PD-MCI. Conclusion: Computational methods hold promise as fine-grained, unbiased indices reflecting the executive component of SVF, but none of the methods provided valid measures of semantic knowledge in PD. Our data also confirm that SVF are not adequate tests of semantic memory in patients with executive dysfunction such as PD. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1047–1056)

scholarly journals Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Emily K. Schworer ◽  
Shequanna Belizaire ◽  
Emily K. Hoffman ◽  
Anna J. Esbensen
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Verbal Fluency Task ◽  
Semantic Verbal Fluency ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Response Coding ◽  
Syndrome Analysis ◽  
Fluency Task

Expressive language delays and executive functioning challenges are common in youth with Down syndrome (DS). Verbal fluency is one method to investigate these constructs. We examined semantic verbal fluency responses to determine patterns in response generation and the psychometric properties of coded cluster formations. Participants were 97 children and adolescents with DS ranging in age from 6 to 19 years old. The semantic verbal fluency task was administered at two time points, two weeks apart. Heterogeneity in performance was observed for responses when coded either with conventional or contextual classifications. Overall, the number of switches in conventional classifications was greater than contextual classifications. This implies that participants did not use traditional (conventional) categories to organize their semantic verbal fluency responses, but may have been using contextual strategies. However, the number of switches and cluster size variables had poor to moderate test–retest reliability, which indicated that participants did not stay consistent with their performance over the two-week testing interval, regardless of the strategies used. Therefore, conventional and contextual clusters and switches as a measure of executive control may not be appropriate for all individuals with DS and additional attention is warranted to determine the utility of response coding in this population.

scholarly journals Effects of Cancer, Chemotherapy and Cytokines on Subjective and Objective Cognitive Functioning Among Patients with Breast Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2576
Author(s):  
Vincent Chin-Hung Chen ◽  
Chin-Kuo Lin ◽  
Han-Pin Hsiao ◽  
Bor-Show Tzang ◽  
Yen-Hsuan Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Semantic Verbal Fluency ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Chemotherapy Patients ◽  
And Control

Background: We aimed to investigate the associations of breast cancer (BC) and cancer-related chemotherapies with cytokine levels, and cognitive function. Methods: We evaluated subjective and objective cognitive function in BC patients before chemotherapy and 3~9 months after the completion of chemotherapy. Healthy volunteers without cancer were also compared as control group. Interleukins (IL) 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12p70, 13, 17A, 1β, IFNγ, and TNFα were measured. Associations of cancer status, chemotherapy and cytokine levels with subjective and objective cognitive impairments were analyzed using a regression model, adjusting for covariates, including IQ and psychological distress. Results: After adjustment, poorer performance in semantic verbal fluency was found in the post-chemotherapy subgroup compared to controls (p = 0.011, η2 = 0.070); whereas pre-chemotherapy patients scored higher in subjective cognitive perception. Higher IL-13 was associated with lower semantic verbal fluency in the post-chemotherapy subgroup. Higher IL-10 was associated with better perceived cognitive abilities in the pre-chemotherapy and control groups; while IL-5 and IL-13 were associated with lower perceived cognitive abilities in pre-chemotherapy and control groups. Our findings from mediation analysis further suggest that verbal fluency might be affected by cancer status, although mediated by anxiety. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that verbal fluency might be affected by cancer status, although mediated by anxiety. Different cytokines and their interactions may have different roles of neuroinflammation or neuroprotection that need further research.

scholarly journals Mild Cognitive Impairments Moderate the Effect of Time on Verbal Fluency Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Demetriou ◽  
Roee Holtzer
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Word Generation ◽  
Transitional State ◽  
Automatic Retrieval ◽  
Retrieval Processes ◽  
Incident Dementia ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Category Fluency

AbstractObjectives: Mild cognitive impairments (MCI) is a transitional state in aging associated with increased risk of incident dementia. The current study investigated whether MCI status moderated the effect of time on word generation during verbal fluency tasks. Specifically, the objective was to determine whether MCI status had differential effects on initial automatic or latter more effortful retrieval processes of fluency tasks. Methods: Participants were community residing older adults enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study. Of the 408 participants, 353 were normal (age=76.06±6.61; %female=57.8) and 55 were diagnosed with MCI (age=78.62±7.00; %female=52.7). Phonemic and category fluency were each administered for 60 s, but performance was recorded at three consecutive 20-s intervals (0–20 s [T1], 21–40 s [T2], 41–60 s [T3]. Separate linear mixed effects models for each fluency task were used to determine the effects of group, time, and their interaction on word generation. Results: In both fluency tasks, word generation declined as a function of time. Individuals with MCI generated fewer words compared to controls during the first 20 s of phonemic (beta=−1.56; p<.001; d=0.28) and category fluency (beta=−1.85; p<.001; d=0.37). Group by time interactions revealed that individuals with MCI demonstrated attenuated declines in word generation from the first to the second and third time intervals of both phonemic ([T1 vs. T2] beta=2.17, p=.001; d=0.41; [T1 vs. T3]beta=2.28, p=.001; d=0.45) and category ([T1 vs. T2] beta= 2.22, p=.002; d=0.50; [T1 vs. T3]beta=3.16, p<.001; d=0.71) fluency. Conclusions: Early automatic retrieval processes in verbal fluency tasks are compromised in MCI. (JINS, 2017, 23, 44–55)

scholarly journals Quantitative and qualitative analysis of semantic verbal fluency in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
A.G. Jaimes-Bautista ◽  
M. Rodríguez-Camacho ◽  
I.E. Martínez-Juárez ◽  
Y. Rodríguez-Agudelo
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Semantic Verbal Fluency

scholarly journals An Examination of Semantic Impairment in Amnestic MCI and AD: What Can We Learn From Verbal Fluency?

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30
Author(s):  
M -J Chasles ◽  
A Tremblay ◽  
F Escudier ◽  
A Lajeunesse ◽  
S Benoit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Amnestic Mci ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Subject Factor ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Introduction The Verbal Fluency Test (VF) is commonly used in neuropsychology. Some studies have demonstrated a marked impairment of semantic VF compared to phonemic VF in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Since amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) is associated with increased risk of conversion to incident AD, it is relevant to examine whether a similar impairment is observed in this population. The objective of the present empirical study is to compare VF performance of aMCI patients to those of AD and elderly controls matched one-to-one for age and education. Method Ninety-six participants divided into three equal groups (N = 32: AD, aMCI and Controls) were included in this study. Participants in each group were, on average, 76 years of age and had 13 years of education. A repeated measures ANOVA with the Group (AD, aMCI, NC) as between-subject factor and the Fluency condition (“P” and “animals”) as within-subject factor was performed. T-tests and simple ANOVAs were also conducted to examine the interaction. Results There was a significant interaction between the groups and the verbal fluency condition. In AD, significantly fewer words were produced in both conditions. In contrast, participants with aMCI demonstrated a pattern similar to controls in the phonemic condition, but generated significantly fewer words in the semantic condition. Conclusion These results indicate a semantic memory impairment in aMCI revealed by a simple, commonly-used neuropsychological test. Future studies are needed to investigate if semantic fluency deficits can help predict future conversion to AD.

scholarly journals Performance of Children in Phonemic and Semantic Verbal Fluency Tasks

Psico-USF ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilmara de Lucena Leite ◽  
Izabel Augusta Hazin Pires ◽  
Laura Carolina Lemos Aragão ◽  
Artemis Paiva de Paula ◽  
Ediana Rossely de Oliveira Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Explicit Memory ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Northeast Region ◽  
Semantic Verbal Fluency ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Brazilian Northeast

Abstract This study investigated the performance of children from the Brazilian Northeast region, from 7 to 10 years in phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tasks. The participants were 102 subjects (62 girls and 40 boys) who performed three phonemic and three semantic fluency tasks. The results were submitted to correlational and variance analysis to investigate the influence of the variables age and gender on the subjects performance. There was no effect of gender on the results. Significant contrasts between age groups were found, and better performance was observed on phonemic tasks. Also, the performance in this task changed along development, in contrast to what happened with the semantic fluency. The findings seem to be in accordance to neurodevelopmental aspects, taken into account that explicit memory systems show more precocious maturational course, with earlier consolidation, in comparison to the executive functions and frontal lobes, which go on developing until adult ages.

Negative Features, Retrieval Processes and Verbal Fluency in Schizophrenia

1993 ◽  
Vol 163 (6) ◽  
pp. 769-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi A. Allen ◽  
Peter F. Liddle ◽  
Christopher D. Frith
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenic ◽  
Retrieval Processes ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Normal Controls

Twenty chronic schizophrenic patients, ten matched normal controls and nine depressed controls performed categorical verbal fluency tasks for three minutes each on five separate occasions. On each occasion the schizophrenic patients generated significantly fewer words than the controls. Comparison of the different occasions showed that the schizophrenic patients had as many words available in their inner lexicons but were inefficient in retrieving them. The schizophrenic patients also generated fewer clusters of related words and more words outside the specified category. Reduced ability to generate words while the lexicon remained intact was more marked in patients with negative features. Patients with incoherence, in contrast, were more likely to produce inappropriate words. We propose that both poverty of speech and incoherence of speech reflect problems in the retrieval of words from the lexicon. To cope with these problems patients with poverty of speech terminate their search prematurely while the patients with incoherence commit errors in selecting words for output.

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