What is to be examined in this paper is the overview of the current research status about language pathology in Alzheimer’s disease. The errors of the language system, visible in the lexicon, semantics, lexical semantics, syntax, etc. in reading, writing and spelling of concerned people will be examined. Furthermore, the neuropathological view on the Alzheimer brain will be explained.
In between the last fifteen years, dementia has become one of the main causes of death in industrialized countries. Each year from 1996 to 2006 more than 50-60 percent of the elderly in Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and the United States of America died of a sort of dementia. Researchers examine disease patterns of dementia and claim coherence between the lifespan of people and the outbreak of dementia diseases. Of course, statistics point out that over the last hundred years the expectancy of life of newborns rose in Germany from 44.8 percent for boys and 48.3 percent for girls in 1901 up to 74.4 percent for boys and 80.5 percent for girls in 1998. Also the lifespan of people aged 60 years and older has risen from 13.1 (males) and 14.2 (females) percent up to 18.9 (males) and 23.2 (females) percent in 1998.
Neuropathologists have been working for more than fifty years to examine and catalogue each variety of the dementia diseases, which becomes more and more difficult as specialized braincast equipments and specific knowledge are updated steadily. Since 1994 the 21st September is declared World Alzheimer's Day™. At this special day of the year, Alzheimer associations prepare information materials and concentrate all their efforts on raising attention about dementia in the eyes of governments, society, medical professionals and people with dementia, their relatives and caregivers.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Alzheimer Brain and Language Pathology in the Alzheimer Disease
1.1 General acknowledgement about Alzheimer and dementia
1.2 Language Pathology in Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT)
2. Errors of the Language System
2.1 The influence of DAT on the Linguistic Lexicon
2.2 Lexical Semantics
2.3 Errors of the Linguistic Semantic System
2.4 Syntax Errors
2.5 Semantic and grammatical processes above single-word level
2.6 Reading, Writing and Spelling
3. Conclusion
4. Future Prospects
Objectives & Topics
This paper provides an overview of the current research status regarding language pathology in Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT). It aims to analyze how cognitive decline affects various linguistic domains—including the lexicon, semantics, syntax, and reading/writing skills—while examining the underlying neuropathological changes in the brain.
- Neuropathology of the Alzheimer brain and cognitive deficits.
- The influence of DAT on lexical ability and semantic systems.
- Syntax errors and grammatical processes in patients with dementia.
- The relationship between working memory decline and language production.
- Pragmatic language use and the breakdown of communication skills.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 General acknowledgement about Alzheimer and dementia
To examine Alzheimer patients it is first important to analyse which sort of sickness is on hand. Therefore the detection and characterization of cognitive deficits combined with age-related neurodegenerative diseases are of significance (Salmon/ Bondi 2009: 258). Actually, researchers have not introduced a positive test for DAT. The diagnosis is made by exclusion of behavioural, cognitive and language data (Bayles 1987: 173). It is the aim of scholars to detect the onset of cognitive changes that mark the beginning of a progressive dementia syndrome. Dementia patterns have to be separated from normal aging or neurodegenerative disorders. The comparison between normal aging disorders and set of dementia syndromes improve a differential diagnosis and offer information about the neurological basis of various cognitive abilities that are infected (Salmon/ Bondi 2009: 258). A special variety of Alzheimer is Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT):
“DAT has been described as a temporal lobe disorder with neural loss in the temporal-parietal-occipital junction area. The hippocampus and amygdale may be the initial sites for the pathology, which then progresses to the posterior parietal and temporal lobes.” (Bayles 1987: 173)
In short, DAT is a failure of the long-term memory function. Remembering, differentiation and comparing objects, events and situation that belong to one category is blocked. Evidences are blocked memories of events that took place at least once or more often and which cannot be retracted. A special content is often blocked as memory traces are unable to draw a connection to comparable contents. The inability in taking part in a coherent discussion or conversation is the appearing linguistic problem (Smith/ Bondi 2008: 763).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a contextual overview of dementia as a growing cause of death and introduces the research focus on language disability.
1. The Alzheimer Brain and Language Pathology in the Alzheimer Disease: Analyzes the neurological basis of DAT and the initial cognitive changes that signify the onset of the syndrome.
2. Errors of the Language System: Investigates specific linguistic breakdowns including lexicon, semantics, syntax, and pragmatic abilities.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes the key theses regarding the vulnerability of memory and the resulting impact on language processing throughout the stages of the disease.
4. Future Prospects: Discusses the need for improved early diagnosis and the potential for new long-term studies to better understand cognitive decline.
Keywords
Dementia of the Alzheimer Type, DAT, Language Pathology, Cognitive Deficits, Lexical Semantics, Syntax Errors, Working Memory, Episodic Memory, Neuropathology, Semantic Networks, Linguistic Competence, Pragmatic Abilities, Neurodegeneration, Brain Atrophy, Speech Production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the status of current research on language pathology in patients with Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT), exploring how the disease affects different levels of linguistic processing.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The central themes include the neuropathological basis of Alzheimer’s, the failure of long-term memory, the degradation of semantic and syntactic systems, and the impact on reading, writing, and social communication.
What is the research goal of this work?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of language errors in DAT patients and to explain how cognitive decline leads to specific impairments in language production and understanding.
Which scientific methods are primarily utilized?
The paper relies on the evaluation of longitudinal and short-term medical studies, neuro-psychological assessments, and case studies to analyze correlations between brain damage and linguistic performance.
What aspects are discussed in the main part of the book?
The main part covers the linguistic lexicon, lexical semantics, syntax errors, semantic processes above the word level, and the specific impairments in reading, writing, and spelling as the disease progresses.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT), language pathology, cognitive decline, semantic networks, and neuro-psychological assessment.
How does DAT specifically affect the linguistic lexicon?
DAT leads to a reduction in vocabulary and a loss of logical or mental connections, making it difficult for patients to connect concepts to specific words, especially as the disease progresses.
Is the ability to use syntax maintained in later stages of DAT?
While syntactical competence remains relatively resistant compared to other areas in the early stages, it eventually deteriorates, forcing patients to use shorter, simpler, or one-word structures.
- Citation du texte
- Sebastian Putzier (Auteur), 2009, Dementia of the Alzheimer type. Language of the elderly, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/334408
