Examining the Relationship between a Verbal Incidental Learning Measure from the WAIS-IV and Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Pathology

Dev Neuropsychol. 2020 Apr-Jun;45(3):95-109. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2020.1762602. Epub 2020 May 6.

Abstract

Convergent validation of a verbal incidental learning (IL) task from the WAIS-IV using neuroimaging biomarkers is warranted to understand its sensitivity to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Fifty-five memory clinic patients aged 59 to 87 years received neuropsychological assessment, and measures of IL and quantitative brain imaging. Worse IL-Total Score and IL-Similarities performances were significantly associated with smaller hemispheric hippocampal volumes. IL measures were not significantly correlated with cerebral β-amyloid burden, though a trend was present and effect sizes were mild. These hippocampal volume results suggest that this IL task may be sensitive to AD pathology along the AD continuum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Neuropsychological Tests / standards*
  • Verbal Learning / physiology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers