Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research Program
<b>Background:</b> In this narrative review, we have surveyed results obtained from a research program dealing with the role of semantic memory disorders as a predictor of progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). <b>Objectives:</b> In this...
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2024-11-01
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| author | Davide Quaranta Camillo Marra Maria Gabriella Vita Guido Gainotti |
| author_facet | Davide Quaranta Camillo Marra Maria Gabriella Vita Guido Gainotti |
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| description | <b>Background:</b> In this narrative review, we have surveyed results obtained from a research program dealing with the role of semantic memory disorders as a predictor of progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). <b>Objectives:</b> In this research program, we have taken into account many different putative markers, provided of a different complexity in the study of the semantic network. These markers ranged from the number of words produced on a semantic fluency task to the following: (a) the discrepancy between scores obtained on semantic vs. phonemic word fluency tests; (b) the presence, at the single-word level, of features (such as a loss of low typical words on a category verbal fluency task) typical of a degraded semantic system; or (c) the presence of more complex phenomena (such as the semantic distance between consecutively produced word pairs) concerning the organization of the semantic network. In the present review, all these studies have been presented, providing separate subsections for (a) methods, (b) results, and (c) a short discussion. Some tentative general conclusions have been drawn at the end of the review. We found that at baseline all these markers are impaired in MCI patients who will later convert to AD, but also that they do not necessarily show a linear worsening during the progression to AD and allow one to make different predictions about the time of development of AD. Our conclusions were that, rather than searching for the best marker of conversion, we should use a range of different markers allowing us to obtain the information most appropriate to the goal of our investigation. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-950ea55165d1496aab723a0d7c1db3e82025-08-20T02:28:11ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252024-11-011411112810.3390/brainsci14111128Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research ProgramDavide Quaranta0Camillo Marra1Maria Gabriella Vita2Guido Gainotti3Neurology Unit, Department of Science of Elderly, Neuroscience, Head and Neck and Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, ItalyMemory Clinic, Department of Science of Elderly, Neuroscience, Head and Neck and Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, ItalyNeurology Unit, Department of Science of Elderly, Neuroscience, Head and Neck and Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 00168 Rome, Italy<b>Background:</b> In this narrative review, we have surveyed results obtained from a research program dealing with the role of semantic memory disorders as a predictor of progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). <b>Objectives:</b> In this research program, we have taken into account many different putative markers, provided of a different complexity in the study of the semantic network. These markers ranged from the number of words produced on a semantic fluency task to the following: (a) the discrepancy between scores obtained on semantic vs. phonemic word fluency tests; (b) the presence, at the single-word level, of features (such as a loss of low typical words on a category verbal fluency task) typical of a degraded semantic system; or (c) the presence of more complex phenomena (such as the semantic distance between consecutively produced word pairs) concerning the organization of the semantic network. In the present review, all these studies have been presented, providing separate subsections for (a) methods, (b) results, and (c) a short discussion. Some tentative general conclusions have been drawn at the end of the review. We found that at baseline all these markers are impaired in MCI patients who will later convert to AD, but also that they do not necessarily show a linear worsening during the progression to AD and allow one to make different predictions about the time of development of AD. Our conclusions were that, rather than searching for the best marker of conversion, we should use a range of different markers allowing us to obtain the information most appropriate to the goal of our investigation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/11/1128semantic memory disordersconversion from MCI to ADsemantic and phonemic fluency tasksphonemic-semantic fluency discrepancyword typicality |
| spellingShingle | Davide Quaranta Camillo Marra Maria Gabriella Vita Guido Gainotti Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research Program Brain Sciences semantic memory disorders conversion from MCI to AD semantic and phonemic fluency tasks phonemic-semantic fluency discrepancy word typicality |
| title | Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research Program |
| title_full | Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research Program |
| title_fullStr | Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research Program |
| title_full_unstemmed | Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research Program |
| title_short | Different Markers of Semantic–Lexical Impairment Allow One to Obtain Different Information on the Conversion from MCI to AD: A Narrative Review of an Ongoing Research Program |
| title_sort | different markers of semantic lexical impairment allow one to obtain different information on the conversion from mci to ad a narrative review of an ongoing research program |
| topic | semantic memory disorders conversion from MCI to AD semantic and phonemic fluency tasks phonemic-semantic fluency discrepancy word typicality |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/11/1128 |
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