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Proactive and retroactive interference in young adults, healthy older adults, and older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2009

PATRICIA L. EBERT  and
NICOLE D. ANDERSON
PATRICIA L. EBERT
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Science Centre, Capital District Health Authority Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
NICOLE D. ANDERSON*
Affiliation:
Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Nicole D. Anderson, PhD, CPsych, Baycrest – KLARU, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1 Canada. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

This study investigated memory interference in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and normal aging. Participants were 27 young adults, 44 healthy older adults, and 15 older adults with aMCI. Memory interference was examined on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and on a modified AB-AC paradigm. Despite significant differences in memory performance on the CVLT, interference measures on this test did not distinguish individuals with aMCI and healthy older adults. The AB-AC task involved first learning a list (AB list) of 12 semantically related word pairs (e.g., knee-bone). Twenty minutes later, a second list (AC list) was learned in which the same stimulus words were paired with new response words (e.g., knee-bend). Both lists were repeated until 100% accurate recall was achieved. Finally, participants recalled the first (AB) list. Proactive interference (PI) was greater among older than younger adults, and greater still among individuals with aMCI, but the older and aMCI groups showed similar levels of retroactive interference. This study suggests that PI contributes to the memory deficits seen in aMCI and that tests sensitive to PI may assist in the early identification of aMCI. Memory interventions aimed at alleviating PI may improve memory functioning in individuals with aMCI. (JINS, 2009, 15, 83–93.)

Keywords

AgingMemoryRecallNeuropsychologyAlzheimer diseasePaired associate learning
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 83 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © INS 2009

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