Semantic Memory Activation Change Over 18 Months in Cognitive Decline

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alissa M. Butts ◽  
Kristy Nielson ◽  
Sally Durgerian ◽  
John Woordard ◽  
Michael Seindenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Memory Activation

scholarly journals A Novel Touch-Screen, Dual-Language Intervention Program for Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
W Quin Yow ◽  
Hui-Ching Chen ◽  
Tharshini Lokanathan ◽  
Attila Achenbach ◽  
Lucienne Blessing
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Touch Screen ◽  
Language Intervention

Abstract Although cognitive training in healthy older adults (OA) has been controversial, specific and isolated cognitive skills such as semantic memory can be improved with appropriate designs. Semantic memory has been considered as a clinical marker for cognitive decline in dementia. The current study, as part of a larger touch-screen dual-language intervention program with cognitive training tools, aims to slow down the rate of cognitive decline in OA with dementia (OwD). A set of neuropsychological tests was conducted before and after the training program. After 24 training sessions over 8-12 weeks, OwD (11 females, 1 male, mean=85.8yo) improved significantly in their verbal working memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test; RAVLT) while performance of the cognitive-healthy OA (5 females, 3 males, mean=76.3yo) remained the same post-intervention. Our findings suggest that touch-screen technology can help OwD improve their semantic memory. The strengths and limitations of our game design and intervention will be discussed. Part of a symposium sponsored by Technology and Aging Interest Group.

scholarly journals Higher circulating α-carotene was associated with better cognitive function: an evaluation among the MIND trial participants

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoran Liu ◽  
Klodian Dhana ◽  
Jeremy D. Furtado ◽  
Puja Agarwal ◽  
Neelum T. Aggarwal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Population At Risk ◽  
Global Cognition ◽  
The Mind

Abstract There is emerging evidence linking fruit and vegetable consumption and cognitive function. However, studies focusing on the nutrients underlying this relationship are lacking. We aim to examine the association between plasma nutrients and cognition in a population at risk for cognitive decline with a suboptimal diet. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) trial is a randomized controlled intervention that examines the effects of the MIND diet to prevent cognitive decline. The primary outcome is global cognition. A multivariate linear model was used to investigate the association between blood nutrients and global and/or domain-specific cognition. The model was adjusted for age, sex, education, study site, smoking status, cognitive activities and physical activities. High plasma α-carotene was associated with better global cognition. Participants in the highest tertile of plasma α-carotene had a higher global cognition z score of 0⋅17 when compared with individuals in the lowest tertile (P 0⋅002). Circulating α-carotene levels were also associated with higher semantic memory scores (P for trend 0⋅007). Lutein and zeaxanthin (combined) was positively associated with higher semantic memory scores (P for trend 0⋅009). Our study demonstrated that higher α-carotene levels in blood were associated with higher global cognition scores in a US population at risk for cognitive decline. The higher α-carotene levels in blood reflected greater intakes of fruits, other types of vegetables and lesser intakes of butter and margarine and meat. The higher circulating levels of lutein plus zeaxanthin reflected a dietary pattern with high intakes of fruits, green leafy, other vegetables and cheese, and low consumption of fried foods. Objective nutrient markers in the blood can better characterize dietary intake, which may facilitate the implementation of a tailored dietary intervention for the prevention of cognitive decline.

Semantic memory and depressive symptoms in patients with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1123-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lehrner ◽  
G. Coutinho ◽  
P. Mattos ◽  
D. Moser ◽  
M. Pflüger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Healthy Controls

ABSTRACTBackground:Semantic memory may be impaired in clinically recognized states of cognitive impairment. We investigated the relationship between semantic memory and depressive symptoms (DS) in patients with cognitive impairment.Methods:323 cognitively healthy controls and 848 patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia were included. Semantic knowledge for famous faces, world capitals, and word vocabulary was investigated.Results:Compared to healthy controls, we found a statistically significant difference of semantic knowledge in the MCI groups and the AD group, respectively. Results of the SCD group were mixed. However, two of the three semantic memory measures (world capitals and word vocabulary) showed a significant association with DS.Conclusions:We found a difference in semantic memory performance in MCI and AD as well as an association with DS. Results suggest that the difference in semantic memory is due to a storage loss rather than to a retrieval problem.

scholarly journals Interactive effects of physical activity and APOE-ε4 on BOLD semantic memory activation in healthy elders

NeuroImage ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 635-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Carson Smith ◽  
Kristy A. Nielson ◽  
John L. Woodard ◽  
Michael Seidenberg ◽  
Sally Durgerian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Apoe Ε4 ◽  
Memory Activation

Greater Semantic Memory Activation After Exercise Training Cessation in Older Endurance-Trained Athletes

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Junyeon Won ◽  
Alfonso J. Alfini ◽  
Lauren R. Weiss ◽  
James M. Hagberg ◽  
J. Carson Smith
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Neural Efficiency ◽  
Memory Activation

Purpose: To examine the effects of a 10-day exercise-training cessation on semantic memory functional activation in older distance runners. Methods: Ten master runners (62.6 ± 7.0 years) with a long-term endurance-training history (29.0 ± 6.0 years) underwent a 10-day training cessation. Before and immediately after the training cessation, semantic memory activation was measured during the famous name recognition task, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The 10-day training cessation resulted in greater semantic memory activation in three brain regions, including the left inferior frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and inferior semilunar lobule. The 10-day training cessation did not significantly alter famous name recognition task performance. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that even a relatively short period without exercise training alters the functional activation patterns of semantic memory–related neural networks. Increased semantic memory activation after training cessation may indicate reduced neural efficiency during successful memory retrieval.

scholarly journals Semantic Memory Activation After Acute Exercise in Healthy Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyeon Won ◽  
Alfonso J. Alfini ◽  
Lauren R. Weiss ◽  
Corey S. Michelson ◽  
Daniel D. Callow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Memory Activation

AbstractObjectives: A growing body of research suggests that regular participation in long-term exercise is associated with enhanced cognitive function. However, less is known about the beneficial effects of acute exercise on semantic memory. This study investigated brain activation during a semantic memory task after a single session of exercise in healthy older adults using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Using a within-subjects counterbalanced design, 26 participants (ages, 55–85 years) underwent two experimental visits on separate days. During each visit, participants engaged in 30 min of rest or stationary cycling exercise immediately before performing a Famous and Non-Famous name discrimination task during fMRI scanning. Results: Acute exercise was associated with significantly greater semantic memory activation (Famous>Non-Famous) in the middle frontal, inferior temporal, middle temporal, and fusiform gyri. A planned comparison additionally showed significantly greater activation in the bilateral hippocampus after exercise compared to rest. These effects were confined to correct trials, and as expected, there were no differences between conditions in response time or accuracy. Conclusions: Greater brain activation following a single session of exercise suggests that exercise may increase neural processes underlying semantic memory activation in healthy older adults. These effects were localized to the known semantic memory network, and thus do not appear to reflect a general or widespread increase in brain blood flow. Coupled with our prior exercise training effects on semantic memory-related activation, these data suggest the acute increase in neural activation after exercise may provide a stimulus for adaptation over repeated exercise sessions. (JINS, 2019, 25, 557–568)

Identification of odors, faces, cities and naming of objects in patients with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer´s disease: a longitudinal study

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (04) ◽  
pp. 537-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Tahmasebi ◽  
S. Zehetmayer ◽  
G. Pusswald ◽  
G. Kovacs ◽  
E. Stögmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Amnestic Mci ◽  
Olfactory Identification

ABSTRACTObjective:Recent studies have tried to find a reliable way of predicting the development of Alzheimer´s Disease (AD) among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often focusing on olfactory dysfunction or semantic memory. Our study aimed to validate these findings while also comparing the predictive accuracy of olfactory and semantic assessments for this purpose.Method:Six hundred fifty patients (median age 68, 58% females) including controls, SCD (subjective cognitive decline), non-amnestic MCI (naMCI), amnestic MCI (aMCI), and AD patients were tested for olfactory dysfunction by means of odor identification testing and semantic memory. Of those 650 patients, 120 participants with SCD, naMCI, or aMCI at baseline underwent a follow-up examination after two years on average. Of these 120 patients, 12% had developed AD at follow-up (converters), while 88% did not develop AD at follow-up (non-converters).Results:Analysis showed a significant difference only for initial olfactory identification between converters and non-converters. Sensitivity of impairment of olfactory identification for AD prediction was low at 46.2%, although specificity was high at 81.9%. Semantic memory impairment at baseline was not significantly related to AD conversion, although, when naming objects, significant differences were found between AD patients and all other groups and between naMCI and aMCI patients compared to controls and SCD patients.Conclusions:Objective olfactory assessments are promising instruments for predicting the conversion to AD among MCI patients. However, due to their low sensitivity and high specificity, a combination with other neuropsychological tests might lead to an improved predictive accuracy. Further longitudinal studies with more participants are required to investigate the usefulness of semantic memory tests in this case.

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