title: Selective verbal recognition memory impairments are associated with atrophy of the language network in non-semantic variants of primary progressive aphasia.
abstract: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is clinically defined by an initial loss of language function and preservation of other cognitive abilities, including episodic memory. While PPA primarily affects the left-lateralized perisylvian language network, some clinical neuropsychological tests suggest concurrent initial memory loss. The goal of this study was to test recognition memory of objects and words in the visual and auditory modality to separate language-processing impairments from retentive memory in PPA. Individuals with non-semantic PPA had longer reaction times and higher false alarms for auditory word stimuli compared to visual object stimuli. Moreover, false alarms for auditory word recognition memory were related to cortical thickness within the left inferior frontal gyrus and left temporal pole, while false alarms for visual object recognition memory was related to cortical thickness within the right-temporal pole. This pattern of results suggests that specific vulnerability in processing verbal stimuli can hinder episodic memory in PPA, and provides evidence for differential contributions of the left and right temporal poles in word and object recognition memory.
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: aneeshan@u.northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Aneesha S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Nilakantan
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Neurology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Joel L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weintraub
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Neurology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: M-Marsel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mesulam
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Rogalski
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000368:Aged; D018888:Aphasia, Primary Progressive / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D001284:Atrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D014825:Vocabulary
keywords: Cortical atrophy; Inferior frontal gyrus; Memory; Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA); Recognition; Temporal pole