Memory grows less efficient very early in Alzheimer's disease
Retirenet Media Team
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When learning new things, people with emerging symptoms find it harder to separate what's important
A new study has revealed that even in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, individuals struggle to prioritize important information over less important details. This insight could help clinicians develop training methods for those in the early stages of the disease, aiming to enhance their ability to retain crucial information. The study, published in the May issue of *Neuropsychology* by the American Psychological Association, underscores the significance of remembering key details in everyday life, such as essential items when shopping or traveling.
Participants included 109 healthy older adults (average age around 75), 41 individuals with very mild Alzheimer's (average age around 76), 13 with mild Alzheimer's (average age around 77), and 35 younger adults (average age around 20). They were asked to memorize neutral words assigned various point values and then recall them to maximize the total value. While all participants recalled more high-value than low-value items, those with Alzheimer's were notably less efficient at remembering according to value, unlike their healthy counterparts.
The study suggests that Alzheimer's disease hinders strategic encoding, the process of organizing and storing information in long-term memory. This deficit affects the ability to prioritize important information. However, the research also shows that value-directed learning remains intact in healthy older adults, even if they can't recall as much as younger individuals. The findings indicate the potential for memory training focused on strategic and selective encoding, helping those with early-stage Alzheimer's improve their recall of vital information.
