Abstract
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a selective episodic memory deficit that often indicates early Alzheimer's disease. Episodic memory function in MCI is typically defined by deficits in free recall, but can also be tested using recognition procedures. To assess both recall and recognition in MCI, MCI (n = 21) and older comparison (n = 30) groups completed the USC-Repeatable Episodic Memory Test. Subjects memorized two verbally presented 15-item lists. One list was used for three free recall trials, immediately followed by yes/no recognition. The second list was used for three-alternative forced-choice recognition. Relative to the comparison group, MCI had significantly fewer hits and more false alarms in yes/no recognition, and were less accurate in forced-choice recognition. Signal detection analysis showed that group differences were not due to response bias. Discriminant function analysis showed that yes/no recognition was a better predictor of group membership than free recall or forced-choice measures. MCI subjects recalled fewer items than comparison subjects, with no group differences in repetitions, intrusions, serial position effects, or measures of recall strategy (subjective organization, recall consistency). Performance deficits on free recall and recognition in MCI suggest a combination of both tests may be useful for defining episodic memory impairment associated with MCI and early Alzheimer's disease.
Highlights
Mild cognitive impairment describes the transition state between healthy aging and early dementia that is accompanied by declines in one or multiple cognitive domains (Flicker, Ferris & Reisberg, 1991; Petersen et al, 2001)
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients do not meet the criteria for dementia because other measures of cognitive function are within normal limits, and activities of daily living are unaffected (APA, 1994; Petersen, 2004)
Sixteen MCI subjects were recruited from the University of California, Irvine Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) where they received annual evaluations that included neuropsychological testing, neurological and physical examinations, neuroimaging, and family interviews
Summary
Mild cognitive impairment describes the transition state between healthy aging and early dementia that is accompanied by declines in one or multiple cognitive domains (Flicker, Ferris & Reisberg, 1991; Petersen et al, 2001). The amnestic subtype of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes older individuals with an episodic memory deficit more severe than is expected for normal aging (Fercker et al, 1991; Pafewen, 2003; Smith et al, 1996). Individuals with MCI have approximately a six-fold increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease relative to older people without episodic memory impairments (Petersen et al, 1999). In studies of normal aging, recall performance shows a larger age-related decline compared to recognition (Craik & McDowd, 1987; Moscovitch & Winoau, 1990; Parker, Landau, Whipple & Schwartz, 2004). As compared to tests of recall, tests using a recognition format may be helpful for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease because recognition scores are less affected by normal aging, and may have greater specificity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
