The effect of cognitive stimulation on the progression of cognitive impairment in subjects with Alzheimer's disease.

The overall objective of this study was to examine the impact of a cognitive stimulation intervention model on subjects with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) using a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. The stimulation intervention consisted of carrying out cognitive activities with a small group of participants during a 6-month period. The program designed included 3 weekly 1-h sessions that always targeted the same two functions using different tasks.

Diagnostic Utility of the Shortened Version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in Patients With Sporadic Late Onset Alzheimer Disease.

Background: The classic version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) consists of correctly sorting 128 cards according to changing sorting criteria. Its application is costly in terms of the time employed, with all the negative consequences this entails (decrease in motivation, frustration, and fatigue).

Method: The main objective of this study was to test the usefulness of the shortened version of the WCST as compared to the full test by analyzing the equivalence between the two decks comprising the full 128-card version on a sample of patients diagnosed with sporadic late onset Alzheimer disease (SLOAD) and to check its clinical usefulness.

Study of sociodemographic variables linked to lifestyle and their possible influence on cognitive reserve.

Cognitive reserve is an active mechanism based on the application of resources learned thanks to a good education, profession, or premorbid intelligence. The aim of this research is to study whether the inclusion of sociodemographic variables linked to lifestyle can discriminate individuals more effectively regarding their level of cognitive reserve. Results show the importance of educational, intellectual, and professional type variables, which can contribute to a deeper knowledge of this construct.

Cognitive reserve, age, and neuropsychological performance in healthy participants.

The first aim of this study was to explore the relation between cognitive reserve, age, and neuropsychological functioning in a healthy sample; and second, to determine the risk of showing cognitive deficits as a function of cognitive reserve. One hundred forty-six healthy participants between the ages of 20 and 79 were submitted to neuropsychological assessment, focusing on attention, memory, visuo-construction, conceptualization and reasoning. Premorbid IQ as measured with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Vocabulary subtest was used as a proxy of cognitive reserve.