Exploration of Verbal and Non-verbal Semantic Knowledge and Autobiographical Memories Starting from Popular Songs in Alzheimer's Disease

Journal

International Psychogeriatrics

Year

2013

Volume

25

Issue

5

First Page

785

Last Page

795

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), a deficit in episodic memory, particularly autobiographical memory, is clearly established. Several recent studies have also shown impaired semantic memory from the onset of the disease. Musical memory capacities may be especially preserved and listening to music might encourage autobiographical recall. The aim of this study was to explore recall of popular songs in AD. METHODS: We tested 12 patients with mild AD and 12 control subjects. We created a tool made up of old French popular songs: POP 10. This tool is a questionnaire composed of several subtests: melodic free recall, chorus free recall, melodic recognition, chorus recognition, semantic knowledge, autobiographical recall about the song, and autobiographical recall about the interpreter. RESULTS: We used non-parametric tests, the Mann-Whitney test (M-W), the Friedman test, and the a posteriori Wilcoxon test. Results of AD patients were rather similar to those of control participants for melodic memory. Concerning chorus memory (except recognition), semantic knowledge, and autobiographical recall about the interpreter, results of AD patients were significantly weaker than those of control participants. The most important result concerned autobiographical recall about the song: we found no impairment-related differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that popular songs can be excellent stimuli for reminiscence, such as the ability to produce an autobiographical memory related to a song. Thus, we confirm that musical semantic knowledge associated with a song may be relatively preserved in the early stages of AD. This leads to new possibilities for cognitive stimulation.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Cognitive Abilities; Elderly; Memory; Music Listening; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Questionnaires; Receptive Music Methods; Song Reminiscence

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Elderly; Alzheimer Disease; France; Memory Disorders; Memory, Episodic; Mental Recall; Mental Status Schedule; Neuropsychological Tests; Pattern Recognition, Physiological; Recognition, Psychology; Semantics

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Disciplines

Geriatrics

PubMed ID

23388499

Document Type

Article

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