Working Memory Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease
Date
2022-12
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Department of Psychology, University of Tampa
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which
patients demonstrate cognitive deficits, especially deficiencies in
long-term memory. However, working memory (WM) impairments
can also be observed in Alzheimer’s disease, yet they are not
as clearly defined as other long-term memory deficits. Here,
neuropsychological evidence regarding WM deficits in patients with
AD is evaluated, utilizing the WM model proposed by Baddeley and
Hitch. Impairments in the central executive component have been the
most documented early WM impairments seen among AD patients.
The phonological loop seems to remain intact in earlier stages of
the disorder but impairments in the ability to temporarily maintain
and internally rehearse verbal information progress with disease
severity. Deficits in the visuospatial sketchpad have been observed
among patients with AD, although more research is needed for further
distinction of visual and spatial processing impairments. Finally, the
inability to strategically organize and integrate multimodal information
is characteristic of impairments associated with the episodic buffer
in AD patients. Overall, this review demonstrates that WM deficits in
AD differ depending on disease severity, making WM performance
a potentially valuable clinical marker. By defining the WM deficits
associated with AD, clinical distinctions are able to be made between
AD and other memory-related disorders, which may allow for more
comprehensive treatment plans and coping strategies for patients.
Description
Recommended citation: Rodriguez, Alexandra M. “Working Memory Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease.” Acta Spartae, 2022. https://doi.org/10.48497/A6MW-K008
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Keywords
Alzheimer’s disease, AD, Working memory (WM), Cognitive deficit
Citation
Rodriguez, Alexandra M. “Working Memory Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease.” Acta Spartae, 2022. https://doi.org/10.48497/A6MW-K008