Nota Clínica

Relearning vocabulary. A comparative analysis between a case of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with predominant compromise of language

N. Montagut, R. Sánchez-Valle, M. Castellví, L. Rami, J.L. Molinuevo [REV NEUROL 2010;50:152-156] PMID: 20146188 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.5003.2009427

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Volumen 50 | Number 03 | Nº of views of the article 7.183 | Nº of PDF downloads 1.918 | Article publication date 01/02/2010

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ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION Semantic dementia is characterised by a progressive loss of semantic content that initially affects the capacity to name things, and is associated with asymmetric atrophy of the anterior temporal lobes. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with predominant compromise of language, anomia is also the main symptom. The study examined the capacity to relearn vocabulary of two patients, each exhibiting one of these two forms of degenerative anomia. CASE REPORTS. The two cases presented similar ages, gender, levels of schooling and degree of compromise. Their capacity to name a list of 40 pictures was evaluated at baseline, following 20 sessions of relearning, at one month and at six months. The patient with semantic dementia named 25/40 objects at baseline, 40/40 after relearning, 35/40 at one month and 27/40 at six months. The patient with AD named 29/40 at baseline, 30/40 after relearning, 29/40 at one month and 32/40 at six months. No intrusions were observed following relearning.

CONCLUSIONS The patient with semantic dementia was able to relearn all the vocabulary she was shown, even though she lost everything she had acquired after treatment was interrupted. The AD patient did not improve her naming capacity with therapy. These differences suggest that the learning and consolidation circuits are affected in different ways. Subjects with semantic dementia, but not those with AD, could benefit from word relearning strategies with this method. KeywordsAlzheimer’s disease Anomia Aphasia Rehabilitation of speech and language disorders Semantic dementia Vocabulary CategoriesDemencia Neurodegeneración Neuropsiquiatría

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Relearning vocabulary. A comparative analysis between a case of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with predominant compromise of language