Semantic clustering and memory in the everyday problem‐solving of mild cognitive impairment subtypes

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundSemantic clustering, which involves grouping words into categories, is an efficient memory strategy that enhances the recall of older adults. Changes in the semantic network are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The associated decline in semantic clustering that has been observed, even in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), can affect the ability to compensate for memory difficulties. In this study, we investigated the roles of semantic clustering and memory in the everyday problem solving of MCI and its subtypes.MethodParticipants included 56 healthy older controls and 52 persons with MCI (n=26 amnestic MCI; n=36 non‐amnestic MCI). All participants were administered the California Verbal Learning Test‐II to assess semantic clustering and memory. The Everyday Problems Test (EPT) was also administered to assess problem‐solving skills involved in activities of daily living (ADLS; i.e., telephone use, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, health/medication use, and finances).ResultRegression analyses indicated that immediate and delayed free recall predicted EPT scores in the control group, while only immediate free recall predicted EPT scores in the non‐amnestic MCI group. Semantic clustering was not predictive of EPT scores in any group. Further, memory and semantic clustering did not predict EPT scores in the amnestic MCI group.ConclusionOverall, we found that memory performance predicted everyday problem solving, while semantic clustering, an efficient memory strategy, did not. More specifically, memory predicted everyday problem solving only in those who did not exhibit objective memory deficits (i.e., healthy older controls and non‐amnestic MCI). This suggests that older adults engage intact memory skills to perform problem‐solving based ADLs. In contrast, those with memory deficits do not employ memory or memory strategies to perform these ADLs. This indicates that possibly training persons with MCI in compensatory strategies may benefit them in their everyday lives.