Colour discrimination, colour naming and colour preferences among individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To study the ability of colour naming, colour discrimination and colour preference in Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
Descriptive, consecutive sample.


METHODS
Fifty subjects >65 years with AD.


METHODS
Testing colour discrimination, colour naming and colour preferences.


METHODS
Ability to detect colour differences in the yellow, red, blue and green areas, ability to assign a name to 22 colour samples, ability to rank seven colours in order of preference.


RESULTS
Discrimination ability was significantly better in the yellow and red area and for lightness variations. Cognitive decline had a significant impact on naming mixed colours and using elaborate colour names. Severity of dementia did not affect the preference rank order of colours.


CONCLUSIONS
Ability to discriminate is affected in AD, with most errors in the blue and green area. Naming colours shows a cognitive decline. Preferences for colour are stable despite the disease.
Wijk
H
H
Department of Geriatric Medicine, G]oteborg University, G]oteborg, Sweden. helle.wijk@geriatrik.gu.se
Berg
S
S
Sivik
L
L
Steen
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D000849:Anomia; D003071:Cognition; D003118:Color Perception; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index