title: An evaluation of deficits in semantic cueing and proactive and retroactive interference as early features of Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the degree to which susceptibility to different types of semantic interference may reflect the initial manifestations of early Alzheimer's disease (AD) beyond the effects of global memory impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal elderly (NE) subjects (n = 47), subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; n = 34), and subjects with probable AD (n = 40) were evaluated by using a unique cued recall paradigm that allowed for evaluation of both proactive and retroactive interference effects while controlling for global memory impairment (i.e., Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales of Semantic Interference and Learning [LASSI-L] procedure).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Controlling for overall memory impairment, aMCI subjects had much greater proactive and retroactive interference effects than NE subjects. LASSI-L indices of learning by using cued recall revealed high levels of sensitivity and specificity, with an overall correct classification rate of 90%. These measures provided better discrimination than traditional neuropsychological measures of memory function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LASSI-L paradigm is unique and unlike other assessments of memory in that items posed for cued recall are explicitly presented, and semantic interference and cueing effects can be assessed while controlling for initial level of memory impairment. This is a powerful procedure that allows the participant to serve as his or her own control. The high levels of discrimination between subjects with aMCI and normal cognition that exceeded traditional neuropsychological measures makes the LASSI-L worthy of further research in the detection of early AD.
authors.affiliation: Center on Aging and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Crocco
authors.affiliation: Center on Aging and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Rosie E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Curiel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL.
authors.forename: Amarilis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acevedo
authors.affiliation: Center on Aging and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Czaja
authors.affiliation: Center on Aging and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL; Wien Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami, FL. Electronic address: dloewenstein@med.miami.edu.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Loewenstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003463:Cues; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012660:Semantics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Early Alzheimer's; MCI; early detection; memory; proactive interference; semantic cueing; semantic interference