The Erlangen Instrument of Alternating Word Fluency in Dementia (EAWF-D)

GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Engel ◽  
Roland Rupprecht ◽  
Richard Mahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Set Shifting ◽  
Word Fluency ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Semantic Categories ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Fluency Task

The Erlangen Instrument of Alternating Word Fluency in Dementia (EAWF-D) is a new alternating word fluency task that combines set-shifting and semantic word fluency based on psycholinguistic theory that the ability to switch between two different semantic categories should already be impaired in beginning dementia. N = 138 (58.7% female; age: M = 73.9; SD = 7.03) outpatients of a memory clinic were diagnosed according to the ICD-10 criteria: subjective memory complainers (N = 60), mild cognitive impairment (N = 37), and mild to moderate dementia (N = 41). An analysis of variance of the EAWF-D revealed a significant main effect of diagnosis (F(2, 135) = 46.7; p < .001; η² = .41). The EAWF-D score correlates significantly with the MMSE total score (r = .54, p < .001) as well as with MMSE subscores “Orientation” (r = .41, p < .001) and “Recall” (r = .53, p < .001). Ordinal logistic regression analysis confirmed the potential for diagnosis of beginning dementia.

scholarly journals Combined instruments for the screening of dementia in older people with low Education

2009 ◽  
Vol 67 (2a) ◽  
pp. 185-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cássio M.C. Bottino ◽  
Sonia E. Zevallos-Bustamante ◽  
Marcos A. Lopes ◽  
Dionisio Azevedo ◽  
Sérgio R. Hototian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Weighted Sum ◽  
Dementia Screening ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Roc Area ◽  
Low Educated ◽  
State Examination

OBJECTIVE: To determine which combination of cognitive tests and informant reports can improve the diagnostic accuracy of dementia screening in low educated older people. METHOD: Patients with mild to moderate dementia (n=34) according to ICD-10 and DSM-III-R criteria and 59 older controls were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Fuld Object Memory Evaluation (FOME). Informants were assessed using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly and the Bayer-Activities of Daily Living Scale. RESULTS: The 4 instruments combined with the mixed rule correctly classified 100% and the logistic regression (weighted sum) classified 95.7% of subjects. The weighted sum had a significantly larger ROC area compared to MMSE (p=0.008) and FOME (p=0.023). The specificity of the tested combinations was superior to the MMSE alone (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive tests combined with informant reports can improve the screening of mild to moderate dementia in low educated older people.

Cognition, structural brain changes and complicated grief. A population-based study

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1389-1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. C. Saavedra Pérez ◽  
M. A. Ikram ◽  
N. Direk ◽  
H. G. Prigerson ◽  
R. Freak-Poli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Complicated Grief ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Word Fluency ◽  
Total Brain Volume ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Total Brain ◽  
Fluency Task ◽  
Structural Brain

BackgroundSeveral psychosocial risk factors for complicated grief have been described. However, the association of complicated grief with cognitive and biological risk factors is unclear. The present study examined whether complicated grief and normal grief are related to cognitive performance or structural brain volumes in a large population-based study.MethodThe present research comprised cross-sectional analyses embedded in the Rotterdam Study. The study included 5501 non-demented persons. Participants were classified as experiencing no grief (n = 4731), normal grief (n = 615) or complicated grief (n = 155) as assessed with the Inventory of Complicated Grief. All persons underwent cognitive testing (Mini-Mental State Examination, Letter–Digit Substitution Test, Stroop Test, Word Fluency Task, word learning test – immediate and delayed recall), and magnetic resonance imaging to measure general brain parameters (white matter, gray matter), and white matter lesions. Total brain volume was defined as the sum of gray matter plus normal white matter and white matter lesion volume. Persons with depressive disorders were excluded and analyses were adjusted for depressive symptoms.ResultsCompared with no-grief participants, participants with complicated grief had lower scores for the Letter–Digit Substitution Test [Z-score −0.16 v. 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.36 to −0.04, p = 0.01] and Word Fluency Task (Z-score −0.15 v. 0.03, 95% CI −0.35 to −0.02, p = 0.02) and smaller total volumes of brain matter (933.53 ml v. 952.42 ml, 95% CI −37.6 to −0.10, p = 0.04).ConclusionsParticipants with complicated grief performed poorly in cognitive tests and had a smaller total brain volume. Although the effect sizes were small, these findings suggest that there may be a neurological correlate of complicated grief, but not of normal grief, in the general population.

Prototypicality of responses of autistic, language disordered, and normal children in a word fluency task

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Dunn ◽  
Hilary Gomes ◽  
Mary Joan Sebastian
Keyword(s):  
Word Fluency ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Fluency Task

Difficulties in the Use of Everyday Technology among Older Adults with Subjective Memory Complaint and Cognitive Decline

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Yuriko Ikeda ◽  
Michio Maruta ◽  
Suguru Shimokihara ◽  
Atsushi Nakamura ◽  
Gwanghee Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaint ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Early Signs ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Individual

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The ability to use everyday technology (ET) is becoming increasingly necessary for maintaining domestic and social lives. For older adults, difficulties with using ETs can begin at the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) state and may indicate increasing cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to conduct a detailed investigation into the ability to use ETs among Japanese older community-dwelling adults at 3 stages of cognitive function and the ability to carry out daily activities. <b><i>Method:</i></b> We analyzed family members’ responses to questions about older adults with cognitive decline in their families. A total of 168 older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMC) or cognitive decline and inconvenience in daily life were analyzed. A questionnaire was used to assess the characteristics, ability to use ETs, and ability to manage refrigerator contents, all of which can be early signs of dementia. Participants were divided 3 groups by the type of dementia: SMC (<i>n</i> = 77), MCI (<i>n</i> = 36), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (<i>n</i> = 55) for comparison. <b><i>Result:</i></b> The observation list of early signs of dementia (OLD) total score indicated a significant positive correlation with the number of ET errors (<i>r</i> = 0.37, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and number of difficulties with refrigerator management (<i>r</i> = 0.18, <i>p</i> = 0.031). Regarding number of ET errors, there was a significant main effect for the 3 groups, and the SMC group made significantly fewer errors than the AD group (<i>p</i> = 0.02). In 7 of the 11 ET categories, errors with using ETs were associated with all 3 groups, with the SMC group making fewer errors, and the AD group making more. Regarding difficulties with refrigerator management, 2 out of 9 problems were associated with the 3 groups, with the SMC group having fewer difficulties and the AD group having more. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> The results indicated that the ability to use ETs and to manage refrigerator contents begins to decline at the SMC stage. Further evaluation of the ability to use ETs is needed for older adults with SMC so that adequate support in the context of the individual can be provided.

Word Fluency Test Performance in Primary Progressive Aphasia and Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lucia Scheffel ◽  
Joseph R. Duffy ◽  
Edythe A. Strand ◽  
Keith A. Josephs
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
Word Fluency ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fluency Task

Purpose This study compared performance on three-word fluency measures among individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS), and examined the relationship between word fluency and other measures of language and speech. Method This study included 106 adults with PPA and 30 adults with PPAOS. PPA participants were divided into three clinical subgroups: semantic (svPPA), logopenic (lvPPA), and nonfluent/agrammatic with or without apraxia of speech (nfPPA). Category fluency, letter fluency, and action/verb fluency tasks were administered to all participants. Results The four clinical groups performed abnormally on the word fluency measures, although not to a degree that represented high sensitivity to their PPA or PPAOS diagnosis. All PPA subgroups produced fewer words compared to individuals with PPAOS on all word fluency measures. Moderate correlations were found between word fluency and aphasia severity and naming performance in some of the clinical groups. Conclusions Word fluency measures are often challenging for individuals with PPA and PPAOS, but they are not of equal difficulty, with letter fluency being the most difficult. Differences among word fluency tests also vary to some degree as a function of the clinical group in question, with least impairment in PPAOS. However, the findings of this study do not support statistically significant differences in word fluency task performance among the PPA subgroups. Correlations suggest that word fluency performance in PPA is at least partly related to aphasia severity.

One night sleep restriction impairs the cortical oxygenation responses

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1560-1560
Author(s):  
S. Miyata ◽  
A. Noda ◽  
M. Ito ◽  
K. Iwamoto ◽  
N. Ozaki
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Sleep Restriction ◽  
Night Sleep ◽  
Word Fluency ◽  
Insufficient Sleep ◽  
Neurobehavioral Function ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
Fluency Task

IntroductionSleep restriction has adverse effects on performance and neurobehavioral function. However, the mechanism of impaired performance and neurobehavioral function has not been studied yet.ObjectivesWe examined the effect of insufficient sleep on cerebral blood flow and cognitive function in 8 healthy adults (mean age 22.4 years).MethodsAll participants were in bed for 8 h (sufficient sleep), and for < 4 h (insufficient sleep). The oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) level by a word fluency task was measured with a near-infrared spectroscopy recorder on the morning following sufficient and insufficient sleep periods. Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), continuous performance test (CPT) and N-back test were evaluated on the same days.ResultsThe peak oxyHb level was significantly lower in the left and right frontal lobes after insufficient sleep than after sufficient sleep (left: 0.25 ± 0.10 vs. 0.70 ± 0.29 mmol, P < 0.05; right: 0.23 ± 0.13 vs. 0.73 ± 0.22 mmol, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of words generated during the word fluency task between sufficient and insufficient sleep states. The percentage of correct responses on CPT after insufficient sleep was significantly lower than that after sufficient sleep (86.6 ± 10.2 vs. 96.0 ± 4.9%, P < 0.05). The reaction time of WCST was significantly longer after insufficient sleep than after sufficient sleep (76.6 ± 13.4 vs. 70.6 ± 16.2 sec, P < 0.05).ConclusionsOne night sleep restriction decreased the concentration changes of oxyHb in brain tissue, leading to impaired cognitive function.

Effects of word fluency task on motor speed and coordination

1990 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-215
Author(s):  
J.H. Snow ◽  
R.A. English
Keyword(s):  
Motor Speed ◽  
Word Fluency ◽  
Fluency Task

scholarly journals Does bilingual language control decline in older age?

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 86-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Ivanova ◽  
Mayra Murillo ◽  
Rosa I. Montoya ◽  
Tamar H. Gollan
Keyword(s):  
Flanker Task ◽  
Order Effect ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Verbal Fluency Task ◽  
Semantic Categories ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Language Control ◽  
Fluency Task

Abstract We investigated age-related decline of bilingual language control. Thirteen older and 13 younger bilinguals performed a verbal fluency task (completing the same letter and semantic categories in each language and switching languages after every category), and a non-linguistic flanker task. In letter fluency, bilinguals produced fewer correct responses after switching languages, suggesting inhibition of the previously-used language. However, this testing-order effect did not differ between groups and older bilinguals produced few wrong-language intrusions, implying intact ability to apply inhibition in older age. In contrast, age-related deficits in the flanker task were robust, implying dissociations between language control and domain-general executive control. In semantic fluency, there were no testing-order effects but older bilinguals produced more intrusions than younger bilinguals, and more intrusions than in letter fluency. Thus, bilinguals may flexibly modulate the degree of inhibition when they can benefit from semantic priming between languages, but less efficiently so in older age.

A controlled study of 99mTc-HMPAO single-photon emission imaging in chronic schizophrenia

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. W. Lewis ◽  
R. A. Ford ◽  
G. M. Syed ◽  
A. M. Reveley ◽  
B. K. Toone
Keyword(s):  
Single Photon ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Single Photon Emission ◽  
Word Fluency ◽  
Left Posterior ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
Fluency Task

SYNOPSISRegional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during a word fluency task was compared in twenty-five male, right-handed, medicated schizophrenic patients and twenty-five age-matched male, right-handed healthy volunteers, using 99mtechnetium-HMPAO multidetector single-photon emission tomography. Increased rCBF in caudate and thalamus was found in patients, probably secondary to neuroleptic medication. Patients showed decreased rCBF in left frontal cortical regions and increased rCBF in left posterior cortical regions, compared to controls. Patterns of left-sided frontal rCBF dominance in controls were reversed in patients, as were normal patterns of right-sided parietal rCBF dominance. Negative symptom score correlated inversely with mesial frontal rCBF, particularly on the left.

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