Dynamics of Semantic Recall in Younger and Older Adults (P02.049)

Abstract

Objective: To compare younger and older cognitively normal adults on the dynamic and temporal properties of semantic recall in an 60-second animal naming paradigm. Background Category fluency testing involves both semantic recall as well as executive control of category switching. These functions vary across the lifespan, and both reduced semantic access and slowed retrieval have been hypothesized to account for reduced category fluency in older individuals and individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Design/Methods: Seventeen younger (YA) and 15 older (OA) cognitively normal adults completed the UDS protocol for one-minute animal-naming. Tests were continuously recorded and response times scored by two observers (Inter-rater reliability for cluster size r(30)=0.78;p Results: Older adults produced fewer words (25.0 ± 4.8 vs. 17.1±6.2 ; p OA). Cluster sizes and mean intra-category response times were similar between groups. Between age groups, cluster size also differed significantly by cluster number. Conclusions: Continuous recording allows for fine grained analysis of category fluency responses.YA switched categories significantly faster throughout, contributing to increased word production. There is subtle evidence for decreased semantic access in OA. Further studies in subjects with dementia is required to see if this trend is operative in populations with decreased output in verbal fluency. Disclosure: Dr. Lerner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rosati has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaye has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly & Company as a participant on a data safety and monitoring board. Dr. Kaye has received research support from Elan Corporation, Danone Medical, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Satoris, and Intel. Dr. Smyth has nothing to disclose. Dr. Woyczynski has nothing to disclose.