Semantic memory activation in individuals at risk for developing Alzheimer disease.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine whether whole-brain, event-related fMRI can distinguish healthy older adults with known Alzheimer disease (AD) risk factors (family history, APOE epsilon4) from controls using a semantic memory task involving discrimination of famous from unfamiliar names.

Methods

Sixty-nine cognitively asymptomatic adults were divided into 3 groups (n = 23 each) based on AD risk: 1) no family history, no epsilon4 allele (control [CON]); 2) family history, no epsilon4 allele (FH); and 3) family history and epsilon4 allele (FH+epsilon4). Separate hemodynamic response functions were extracted for famous and unfamiliar names using deconvolution analysis (correct trials only).

Results

Cognitively intact older adults with AD risk factors (FH and FH+epsilon4) exhibite

SUBMITTER: Seidenberg M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2731619 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature