The Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Michael A. Kraut, Barbara Cherry, Jeffery A. Pitcock, Raksha Anand, Juan Li, Lindsey Vestal, Victor W. Henderson, John Hart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Between 10% and 15% of patients with the amnestic variety of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) convert to Alzheimer disease (AD) per year. OBJECTIVE: Characterize cognitive markers that may herald conversion from MCI to AD and directly assess semantic memory in patients meeting criteria for amnestic MCI. DESIGN: Thirty-five amnestic MCI patients and 121 healthy aging controls enrolled at an Alzheimer Disease Center received a battery of standard neuropsychologic tests, and the Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT), a test that we have developed for the assessment of semantic memory and subsequent name production, and that has been shown to be able to differentiate between normals and patients with AD. RESULTS: On the basis of normative data from the SORT, the MCI subjects could be divided into 2 groups: 10 patients (29%) with a significant semantic impairment (SI+) and 25 without a semantic memory deficit (SI-). There was a significant correlation between all SORT variables and performance on the Boston Naming Test. In this MCI population, significantly impaired SORT performance was associated with a relative decrease in performance on tests of frontal lobe functions, although disruption of thalamic-related processes cannot be excluded as an etiology for semantic memory impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The SORT is a specific test of semantic memory, and is a sensitive measure of semantic memory deficits in patients who otherwise meet criteria for amnestic MCI. Using this specific assessment tool, a significant number of MCI patients were found to have semantic memory deficits. As these patients may be early in the course of possible progression toward dementia, the SORT or other tests of semantic memory may provide important diagnostic or prognostic information in patients with MCI.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)62-67
Number of pages6
JournalCognitive and Behavioral Neurology
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2007

Keywords

  • Alzheimer disease
  • Dementia
  • Memory
  • Mild cognitive impairment
  • Semantic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Semantic Object Retrieval Test (SORT) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this