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  • Title: [Evaluation of temporality semantic knowledge in normal aging and in mild and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease].
    Author: Rivasseau Jonveaux T, Batt M, Empereur F, Braun M, Trognon A.
    Journal: Encephale; 2015 Apr; 41(2):137-43. PubMed ID: 24135028.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: Episodic and semantic processes are involved in temporality used in daily life. Episodic memory permits one to place an event on the time axis, while semantic memory makes us aware of the time segmentation and its symbolic representation. Memory of the knowledge connected to the passing of time is materialized on the calendar and can be seen symbolically on the dial of a clock. In AD, semantic memory processes are preserved longer than processes related to episodic memory. We wonder whether the specific field of knowledge about time is altered during AD. METHODOLOGY: We validated a specific evaluation with a control group (354 healthy subjects). Then we applied this battery to assess AD patients to appreciate the feasibility of this tool for this population. We then compared 22 AD patients with a control group matched for age, sex and educational level. Our clinical scale of temporal semantic knowledge consists of four parts: (a) hour reading with a.m. and p.m. hours; (b) using a clock: 12 clock faces with the hour numbers already placed: the patient draws hour and minute hands for various hours; (c) temporal segmentation: exploration of the knowledge on daytime scale and of the calendar; (d) time duration estimation: calculate how long the interview has lasted after indicating the time of its beginning and its end, then the time between 10.40 to 12.00. RESULTS: While age and educational level had an influence on all the scores, in the two groups control and patients, gender did not. Temporal segmentation, independent of the cultural level, revealed the best acquired knowledge in our control population. All the scores differentiated patients from control subjects. The temporal semantic knowledge correlated with the AD severity seemed to be correlated with the attention, verbal comprehension, and some components of executive functions, but was not related to the clock drawing test result. Depression did not have any influence on this scale in our AD group. DISCUSSION: The temporal semantic knowledge clinical scale shows differential alterations, notably in hour reading and using a clock, and less in temporal segmentation. CONCLUSION: Temporal semantic knowledge is altered in AD. The diagnosis and follow-up of these alterations allow professionals and caregivers to consider adaptations of the patient's environment according to their needs.
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