Journal article
Visual Paired Associate Learning Deficits Associated With Elevated Beta-Amyloid in Cognitively Normal Older Adults
Jenalle E Baker, Robert H Pietrzak, Simon M Laws, David Ames, Victor L Villemagne, Christopher C Rowe, Colin L Masters, Paul Maruff, Yen Ying Lim
Neuropsychology | AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC | Published : 2019
DOI: 10.1037/neu0000561
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that paired associate learning (PAL), a type of episodic memory, is impaired in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). Such tasks require that a set of associations (e.g., pattern-location) be learned over several trials, and the objective is to reduce errors with each trial. Currently, the nature and magnitude of impairment and decline on PAL measures in cognitively normal (CN) older adults with elevated levels of beta-amyloid (Aβ+) is unknown. METHOD: This study examined PAL errors in Aβ+ and Aβ - CN older adults, both within a single assessment and over time. Participants (210 Aβ - CN, 146 Aβ + CN) from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (AIB..
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Grants
Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
Funding for the AIBL study was provided in part by the study partners [Australian Commonwealth Scientific Industrial and research Organization (CSIRO), Edith Cowan University (ECU), Mental Health Research Institute (MHRI), Alzheimer's Australia (AA), National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), Austin Health, CogState Ltd., Hollywood Private Hospital, Sir Charles Gardner Hospital]. The study also received support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Dementia Collaborative Research Centres program (DCRC2), as well as ongoing funding from the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF). YYL reports grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (GNT1111603, GNT1147465). Alzheimer's Australia (Victoria and Western Australia) assisted with promotion of the AIBL study and the screening of telephone calls from volunteers. The AIBL team wishes to thank the clinicians who referred patients with AD to the study: Brian Chambers, Edmond Chiu, Roger Clarnette, David Darby, Mary Davison, John Drago, Peter Drysdale, Jacqueline Gilbert, Kwang Lim, Nicola Lautenschlager, Dina LoGiudice, Peter McCardle, Steve McFarlane, Alastair Mander, John Merory, Daniel O'Connor, Ron Scholes, Mathew Samuel, Darshan Trivedi, and Michael Woodward. We acknowledge the financial support of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health. The CRC program is an Australian Government Initiative. We thank all those who participated in the study for their commitment and dedication to helping advance research into the early detection and causation of AD.