[Psychomotor speed and speed of searching in semantic memory].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to assess relations among psychomotor speed, speed of searching from semantic memory and aging using simple bedside tests.


RESULTS
We included 95 healthy volunteers with mean age 45.8 +/- 17 years (min. 20, max. 80 years) to this study. We measured time in the short version of semantic fluency test (recite 12 animals) and in 2 tests of psychomotor tempo. We detected significant slowing in all tests (ANOVA, p < 0.001) during aging.


CONCLUSIONS
Slowing of psychomotor speed and searching in semantic memory were detected during physiological aging. Further research is necessary to clarify, if these fast and easy tests will be useful in screening for dementia in clinical practice.
Kopecek
M
M
Psychiatrické centrum Praha. kopecek@pcp.lf3.cuni.cz
Stepdánková
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014705:Verbal Behavior