Perseverations in Alzheimer's disease: Memory slips?

摘要: Previous studies of verbal fluency tasks reported higher rates repeated responses in Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to elderly controls. The present investigation aimed at determining if perseverations are caused by word retrieval deficits or working memory deficits, both which commonly observed AD. Based on current theories lexical processing and memory, we derived specific predictions concerning the lag between first occurrence a its repetition. With repetitions expected be progressively less frequent greater lags; conversely, with should occur especially after long lags. These were tested analyzing performance 392 AD individuals tasks. finding lags that significantly longer than would chance is consistent hypothesis primarily deficits. Specifically, propose stem from an impairment affecting mechanisms control response monitoring. We also investigated relationship other cognitive discuss implications our findings for understanding nature perseverations, effects AD, neural correlates components.