Memory Impairments in Adults with Neurogenic Communication Disorders

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been increasing interest in the nonlinguistic, cognitive abilities of adults with neurogenic communication disorders. In particular, a growing literature has documented deficits in a number of memory functions in this population. The purpose of this article is to summarize that literature and provide an overview of the presence and nature of memory impairments in aphasia, right hemisphere disorders, traumatic brain injury, and dementia. Ways that memory impairments may interact with the communication abilities of individuals with neurogenic communication disorders also are discussed.

A New Test Battery to Assess Aphasic Disturbances and Associated Cognitive Dysfunctions — German Normative Data on the Aphasia Check List

“…Since cognitive dysfunction frequently occurs in aphasic patients (Baldo et al, 2002;Murray, 1999;Murray et al, 2001) and can compromise language function and the rehabilitation of aphasia (Crosson, 2000) the assessment is of crucial interest to the language therapist. In fact 94% of the patients included in this normative study showed impairment in at least one of the tested cognitive function (most frequently in short-term memory); in more than 50% of these patients all of the tested domains were impaired.…”

“…Cognitive and mnestic deficits, for example in anterograde, short and working memory (Murray, Ramage, & Hopper, 2001), attention (Coslett, 2001;Murray, 1999), and reasoning (Borod, Carper, & Goodglass, 1982), can accompany aphasia and might have an impact on language function (as also evidenced in non-aphasic patients, e.g., Ullman, 2004;Silkes, McNeil & Drton, 2004). Such dysfunctions probably influence aphasia rehabilitation (Crosson, 2000;Sarno, 1998).…”

Unravelling nonverbal cognitive performance in acquired aphasia

“…Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/ terms-and-conditions Mager, & Meier, 1989;Murray, Ramage, & Hopper, 2001). However, some studies have questioned whether difficulties on nonverbal measures largely reflect primary language deficits, such as poor auditory comprehension (Basso, Capitani, Luzzatti, & Spinnler, 1981;Borod, Carper, & Goodglass, 1982;Borod, Carper, Goodglass, & Naeser, 1984;Keil & Kaszniak, 2002;Van Mourik, Verschaene, Boon, & Paquier, 1992).…”

An Examination of Strategy Implementation During Abstract Nonlinguistic Category Learning in Aphasia

“…However, many of the factors thought to contribute to reduced learning of probabilistic tasks in PD and amnesia (e.g. reduced memory ability, reduced attention, executive control and reduced feedback ability) have been identified as areas of weakness for patients with aphasia as well (Caspari, Parkinson, LaPointe, & Katz, 1998; Christensen & Wright, 2010; Glosser & Goodglass, 1990; Kalbe, Reinhold, Brand, Markowitsch, & Kessler, 2005; Murray, 2012; Murray, Ramage, & Hopper, 2001; Seniow, Litwin, & Lesniak, 2009). In an interesting study comparing errorless and errorful anomia treatment methods, Fillingham, Sage and Lambon Ralph (2006) found that, irrespective of treatment type, therapy outcomes were significantly correlated with measures of recognition memory, executive function and monitoring skills, but not with language measures.…”