1867 – Motor Procedural Learning In Individuals With Mild And Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Compared To Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Introduction

There are cognitive and motor impairments in individuals with Alzheimer's disease, which are related to their ability to learn the new procedures, skills and activities.

Objectives and aims

The aim of the study is to compare motor procedural learning in individuals with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease with motor procedural learning in older subjects without dementia.

Methods

32 individuals with mild and moderate Alzheimer's dementia (AD) (F.00.0, F.00.1, F.00.2) (MMSE> 15) (25 women, mean age 76.8 ± 6.41 and 7 men, mean age 79.1 ± 5.21), and 32 individuals without symptoms of dementia (healthy controls- HC) matched for sex, age and education level were examined. Motor procedural learning was assessed by the Pursuit Rotor Task (PRT). The time [ms] of keeping cursor within the moving round object-dot during every 4 trials was measured (after training session).

Results

The average time [ms] of keeping cursor within object in particular trials is as follows:

1. - AD: 857, 1035, 1060, 1098

2. - HC: 1014, 1068, 1316, 1681

Statistically significant difference was found in parameters from fourth trial between examined groups (U Manna-Whitneya: Z=- 1,962; p=0,05).

Conclusions

It was found that mild and moderate AD patients are able to procedural learn motor task although they achieve worse scores than older persons without dementia.