Breadth and depth of working memory and executive function compromises in mild cognitive impairment and their relationships to frontal lobe morphometry and functional competence. Issue 1 (21st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garcia‐Alvarez, Leticia; Gomar, Jesus J.; Sousa, Amber; Garcia‐Portilla, Maria P.; Goldberg, Terry E.
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 11:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 170
• Page End: 179
• Publication Date: 2019-02-21
• Subjects: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) -- Working memory -- Executive function -- Functional competence -- Frontal cortex; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer's disease -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 616.831
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dadm.2018.12.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8729

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The extent of working memory (WM) and executive function (EF) impairment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not well‐characterized. Methods: We compared 48 patients with MCI, 124 noncognitively impaired elderly healthy controls, and 57 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) on multiple WM/EF measures, frontal lobe integrity indexes, and functioning. Results: Patients with MCI demonstrated worse performance on nearly all WM/EF tests. This profile of impairment was refined in a factor analysis that identified three primary WM/EF constructs: WM storage; speed and controlled visual search; and manipulation of information and problem solving. EF impairments were associated with reductions in prefrontal cortical thickness. WM/EF accounted for over 50% of the variance in functional competence. Discussion: In MCI, WM/EF impairments are far from rare, based on specific compromises to frontal cortex circuitry, and are associated with loss of everyday functioning. WM/EF impairments, even at this potentially prodromal stage of AD, have clinically deleterious consequences.