Journal article
Authors list: Toepper, Max; Steuwe, Carolin; Beblo, Thomas; Bauer, Eva; Boedeker, Sebastian; Thomas, Christine; Markowitsch, Hans J.; Driessen, Martin; Sammer, Gebhard
Publication year: 2014
Pages: 340-346
Journal: Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders
Volume number: 28
Issue number: 4
ISSN: 0893-0341
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0000000000000035
Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Abstract:
Symbols and signs have been suggested to improve the orientation of patients suffering from Alzheimer disease (AD). However, there are hardly any studies that confirm whether AD patients benefit from signs or symbols and which symbol characteristics might improve or impede their symbol comprehension. To address these issues, 30 AD patients and 30 matched healthy controls performed a symbol processing task (SPT) with 4 different item categories. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was run to identify impact of different item categories on performance accuracy in both the experimental groups. Moreover, SPT scores were correlated with neuropsychological test scores in a broad range of other cognitive domains. Finally, diagnostic accuracy of the SPT was calculated by a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Results revealed a global symbol processing dysfunction in AD that was associated with semantic memory and executive deficits. Moreover, AD patients showed a disproportional performance decline at SPT items with visual distraction. Finally, the SPT total score showed high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between AD patients and healthy controls. The present findings suggest that specific symbol features impede symbol processing in AD and argue for a diagnostic benefit of the SPT in neuropsychological assessment.
Citation Styles
Harvard Citation style: Toepper, M., Steuwe, C., Beblo, T., Bauer, E., Boedeker, S., Thomas, C., et al. (2014) Deficient Symbol Processing in Alzheimer Disease, Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 28(4), pp. 340-346. https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0000000000000035
APA Citation style: Toepper, M., Steuwe, C., Beblo, T., Bauer, E., Boedeker, S., Thomas, C., Markowitsch, H., Driessen, M., & Sammer, G. (2014). Deficient Symbol Processing in Alzheimer Disease. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders. 28(4), 340-346. https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0000000000000035
Keywords
CARE; early detection; executive; NEUROPSYCHOLOGY; SEMANTIC MEMORY; symbol comprehension; TERM; TRAIL
