Identification of Word Retrieval Difficulties in the Normally Aging Population

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Purpose This study examined variations in performance on different verbal tasks completed by typically aging, non-neurologically impaired adults who self-identified as either having or not having word retrieval difficulties that frequently affected their lifestyle. Method Fifty-seven adults aged 54–71 years, who were recruited based on case history responses that indicated the presence or absence of word retrieval difficulties, completed two standardized, norm-referenced language tests, two naming tasks, and three verbal fluency measures. Results Although scores on standardized language tests fell within normal limits for all of the participants, significant differences between those with and those without self-reported word retrieval difficulties were found on the Expressive Vocabulary Test–Second Edition as well as on tasks of naming members of categories and producing procedural narratives. A significantly greater percentage of disfluencies in procedural narratives were found in the group that reported word retrieval difficulties. This fluency indicator was the only factor that was predictive of word retrieval difficulties. Conclusions Many studies have examined the differences in word retrieval in older versus younger populations or in persons with aphasia versus persons without aphasia, but they have not offered definitive pictures of the differences between those with and those without word retrieval difficulties in the normally aging population who have otherwise normal language. This study identified three tasks that appear to be sensitive to the word-finding difficulties experienced by some adults.