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Abstract:
Abstract: Identifying elders in the earliest phase of
Alzheimer's disease (AD) by means of neuropsychological testing,
although crucial given the absence of reliable biological markers,
has proven to be particularly challenging. Work in our laboratory
has previously shown that healthy elderly adults--but not AD
patients--can suppress their false recognition of semantic
associates across multiple study-test trials. In the current study
we examined whether tests of false recognition are more sensitive
than standardized neuropsychological tests at distinguishing memory
impairment due to early AD from that due to normal aging.
Seventy-five community dwelling elders who had been followed for at
least 3 years were given tests of false recognition as well as
standard neuropsychological tests. Preclinical AD (mild cognitive
impairment) was diagnosed when complaints of memory difficulties
interfering with the individual's activities of daily living and a
significant decline from baseline on standard neuropsychological
tests (>1.5 SD) were present. (Probable AD, if present, was
also diagnosed using NINCDS-ADRDA criteria.) Preliminary results
indicate that tests of false recognition may be useful in
distinguishing early AD from the effects of normal aging.
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