Exploring semantic memory by investigating buildup and release of
proactive interference in healthy older adults and individuals with
dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Multhaup KS, Balota DA, Faust ME.

Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035-7000, USA.
krmulthaup@davidson.edu

There is debate regarding the integrity of semantic memory in dementia
of the Alzheimer type (DAT). One view argues that DAT is associated
with a breakdown in semantic memory; the other argues that DAT is
associated with predominantly preserved semantic memory and a breakdown
in retrieval. The classic release from proactive interference (RPI)
paradigm was used to shed light on this debate. Individuals with
early-stage DAT (n = 36) and healthy older adult controls (n = 45)
participated in an RPI paradigm. Each trial was a Brown-Peterson task
in which participants read three-word lists, counted (for 0, 3, 6, or 9
s), and recalled the words. Both groups showed significant proactive
interference (PI), but the size of the PI was significantly smaller in
the DAT group. The group difference in PI may be due to the faster
forgetting rate in the DAT group. Both groups showed significant RPI
and there was no group difference in size when RPI was considered in
terms of PI levels. Both groups showed PI and RPI in prior list
intrusions. The DAT group's significant buildup and release of PI based
on semantic categories suggest predominantly preserved semantic memory
activity, at least, in early-stage DAT individuals.

Midlife women's attributions about perceived memory changes:
observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study.

Sullivan Mitchell E, Fugate Woods N.

University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, Washington
98195-7262, USA.

Memory changes are of increasing interest as midlife women approach
menopause. Recent studies of relationships between estrogen and
Alzheimer's disease have prompted interest in memory experiences around
the time of menopause. The purpose of this analysis, part of the larger
Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study (SMWHS), was to describe the types
of memory changes women perceived during midlife, to describe their
attributions about the memory changes, and to describe the relationship
among these types and attributions of memory changes and age,
menopausal transition stage, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use,
stress, and major life roles. Women (n = 230) with a mean age of 46.7
years, enrolled in the SMWHS, described whether they had noticed any
changes in their memory, when they noticed them first, the nature of
the changes, and what they thought were the reasons for the changes.
Types of memory changes were collapsed into five categories, which
included difficulty recalling words or numbers, forgetting related to
everyday behavior, concentration problems, need for memory aids, and
forgetting events. Six categories describing attributions about the
memory changes were increased role burden and stress, getting older,
physical health, menstrual cycle changes/hormones, inadequate
concentration, and emotional factors. Stress, physical health, and
aging as attributions, rather than the menstrual cycle or hormone use,
were linked to most types of memory change.

Learning and retention in preclinical and early Alzheimer's disease.

Grober E, Kawas C.

Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva
University, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.

Accelerated forgetting has been proposed as the first sign in
preclinical and early Alzheimer's disease (AD). The authors
investigated learning and retention in participants who later developed
AD with free and cued selective reminding (FCSR; H. Buschke, 1984; E.
Grober & H. Buschke, 1987), a test that maximizes learning by inducing
deep semantic processing and by controlling study and test conditions.
AD patients in the preclinical stage recalled significantly fewer words
than did matched control participants, indicating an impairment of
learning; nonetheless, patients' retention was identical to that of
control participants. A retention deficit was documented 3 years later
for AD patients but not for control participants, whose retention was
still perfect. Thus, a retention deficit is not present in preclinical
AD when hallmark learning deficits can be documented. Detection of
preclinical and very early AD may be best accomplished by using robust
learning tests that control cognitive processing.

Ronny:
Just the other day I got upset for awhile because I couldn't remember
and or get out something I was wanting to say to Mom;but I think that
was because I had so many things on my mind at once! LoL

The way I am about Alzheimers is I just as soon not get it thank you;

try to keep from not getting it. And I would add that my diet and
general lifestyle could very easily be a lot better so as to try to
avoid other things too;but I look at it this way,I'm not going to change
a lot just for what might be or what I might avoid. I enjoy my "vices"
too much to do that! :-) And I figure I might as well enjoy them! LoL

Can't think of that famous lady chefs name now-she died not too long ago
in her 80's. Oh,Julia Child. :-) Saw her and another chef cooking on TV
onetime and she was putting a lot of butter in all of her dishes! :-)
The guy chef said;that much butter could kill a person! Julia Child just
looked at him,said maybe so;but then you would die happy! LoL And that's
pretty much the way I look at things like that too!LoL