title: Compromised naturalistic action performance in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Routine naturalistic actions (NAs) are familiar activities that require the production of several actions in a particular order to achieve a specific goal, such as preparing a meal or paying bills. Given that amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) has been shown to be a risk factor for dementia, a better understanding of the cognitive processes that mediate NA performance is needed in order to facilitate efforts to promote functional autonomy in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Performance of 2 highly familiar NAs, and their relationship to measures of episodic memory, semantic knowledge, and executive function was systematically investigated in a sample of healthy older adults (n = 24) and individuals with aMCI (n = 24).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, measures of executive function were related to commission errors, while episodic memory was associated with the omission of supporting actions. However, both errors of omission and commission appeared to draw on a diverse array of cognitive processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings provide preliminary evidence that the cognitive correlates of NA errors may not be as process pure as previously hypothesized in neuropsychological models. A more comprehensive understanding of the cognitive underpinnings of NAs in aMCI could lead to more effective intervention programs to promote functional autonomy and delay dementia onset. Furthermore, NAs may be administered in neurocognitive assessments to identify early changes in everyday functioning and facilitate differential diagnosis between healthy aging and aMCI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, York University.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, York University.
authors.forename: Norman W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Angela K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Troyer
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Kelly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*