Correlation between Ratios of Word-finding Behavior and CIU in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia of Alzheimer's Type

Objectives: Anomia is the primary language symptom in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the ratios of word-finding behavior and Correct information Unit (CIU) through spontaneous speech task in patients with MCI and DAT. Methods: The participants of this study were 31 healthy elderly, 29 patients with MCI, and 27 patients with mild DAT. The picture description tasks were used, and word-finding behaviors and CIU ratio analysis were used. Results: First, it was found that there were significant differences according to groups in the ratio of empty words, repetitions, insertions, and global index. Second, there was no significant correlation between the ratio of word-finding behavior and the CIU ratio in the healthy elderly, but there were significant correlations between the ratios of the word-finding behavior and the CIU ratio in patients with MCI and DAT. Finally, according to the regression analysis results, it was found that the ratio of the global index significantly predicted the CIU ratio in the MCI and DAT groups. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it can be seen that the ratios of word-finding behavior through spontaneous speech tasks in patients with MCI and DAT is related to information delivery ability.