Work

Microlinguistic aspects of the oral narrative in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment. Phonological, syntactic, semantic and discursive aspects of language may also be affected. Analysis of micro- and macrolinguistic abilities of discourse may assist in diagnosing AD. The aim of this study was to identify changes in the discourse (lexical errors and syntactic index) of AD patients. METHODS: 121 elderly subjects narrated a story based on a seven-figure picture description. RESULTS: Patients with AD presented more word-finding difficulties, revisions and repetitions, and the syntactic index was lower than controls. CONCLUSION: Performance in microlinguistics at the lexical and syntactic levels was lower than expected in participants with AD.

Source: International Psychogeriatrics

DOI: 10.1017/s1041610210001092

Authors: Juliana Onofre de Lira, Karin Zazo Ortiz, Aline Carvalho Campanha, Paulo Henrique Ferreira Bertolucci, Thaís Soares Cianciarullo Minett

Institution: Universidade Federal de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,500