Exploring semantic memory by investigating buildup and release of proactive interference in healthy older adults and individuals with dementia of the Alzheimer type

被引:9
|
作者
Multhaup, KS
Balota, DA
Faust, ME
机构
[1] Davidson Coll, Davidson, NC 28035 USA
[2] Washington Univ, St Louis, MO 63130 USA
[3] Univ S Alabama, Dept Psychol, Mobile, AL 36688 USA
关键词
semantic memory; Alzheimer's disease; forgetting rate; release from proactive interference;
D O I
10.1017/S1355617703960024
中图分类号
R74 [神经病学与精神病学];
学科分类号
摘要
There is debate regarding the integrity of semantic memory in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). One view argues that DAT is associated with a breakdown in semantic memory; the other argues that DAT is associated with predominantly preserved semantic memory and a breakdown in retrieval. The classic release from proactive interference (RPI) paradigm was used to shed light on this debate. Individuals with early-stage DAT (n = 36) and healthy older adult controls (n = 45) participated in an RPI paradigm. Each trial was a Brown-Peterson task in which participants read three-word lists, counted (for 0, 3, 6, or 9 s), and recalled the words. Both groups showed significant proactive interference (PI), but the size of the PI was significantly smaller in the DAT group. The group difference in PI may be due to the faster forgetting rate in the DAT group. Both groups showed significant RPI and there was no group difference in size when RPI was considered in terms of PI levels. Both groups showed PI and RPI in prior list intrusions. The DAT group's significant buildup and release of PI based on semantic categories suggest predominantly preserved semantic memory activity, at least, in early-stage DAT individuals.
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页码:830 / 838
页数:9
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