INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster

Poster Session 02 Program Schedule

02/15/2024
08:00 am - 09:15 am
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)

Poster Session 02: Aging | MCI | Neurodegenerative Disease - PART 1


Final Abstract #90

The role of multiple cognitive functions in predicting verbal fluency in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease

Jordan Kozuki, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, United States
Angela Hickman, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, United States
David Lent, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, United States
Chris Miller, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, United States
Ellen Woo, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, United States

Category: Dementia (Alzheimer's Disease)

Keyword 1: fluency
Keyword 2: verbal abilities

Objective:

Verbal fluency is impacted by the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) process. Verbal fluency is considered to require both language and executive processes. The present study examined the role of multiple cognitive functions on verbal fluency performances in healthy older controls, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and AD.

Participants and Methods:

Participants included 58 healthy older controls, 65 individuals with MCI, and 18 persons with AD. Verbal fluency was measured using the FAS test, a P/R switching condition, and a fruit/furniture switching condition. To determine the role of multiple cognitive functions on verbal fluency, neuropsychological test composite scores were derived: Cognitive Flexibility, Memory, Information Processing Speed, and Inhibition.

Results:

Regression analyses revealed that in healthy older controls, Cognitive Flexibility predicted FAS performance, while Information Processing Speed predicted verbal fluency switching. In the MCI group, Cognitive Flexibility predicted verbal fluency switching. In the AD group, Inhibition predicted FAS performance, while Inhibition and Cognitive Flexibility predicted verbal fluency switching.

Conclusions:

The results indicated that cognitive processes beyond language and executive functions contribute to verbal fluency performances. Further, the type of cognitive functions differs when switching is required. Most importantly, the cognitive skills involved differ by diagnostic group; although cognitive flexibility plays a role in in verbal fluency in all groups, information processing is also important in healthy older controls and inhibition is also important in AD.