A Meta-Analysis of Semantic Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Sven Joubert (1) , Ludovic Gardy (2) , Mira Didic (3, 4) , Isabelle Rouleau (5, 6) , Emmanuel J. Barbeau (2)

1 CRIUGM - Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montreal
2 CERCO UMR5549 - Centre de recherche cerveau et cognition
3 Service de neurochirurgie [CHU Marseille]
4 INS - Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes
5 UQAM - Université du Québec à Montréal = University of Québec in Montréal
6 CR CHUM - Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal

Introduction: Accumulating evidence over the past decade suggests that semantic deficits represent a consistent feature of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). A meta-analysis was performed to examine if semantic deficits are consistently found in patients with MCI. Methods: Studies meeting all inclusion criteria were selected for the current meta-analysis. An effect size and a weight were calculated for each study. A random effect model was performed to assess the overall difference in semantic performances between MCI patients and healthy subjects. Results: 22 studies (476 healthy participants, 476 MCI patients, mean MMSE of the MCI patients: 27.05 ± 0.58) were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicate that MCI patients systematically performed significantly worse than healthy matched controls in terms of overall semantic performance (mean effect size of 1.02; 95% CI [0.80; 1.24]). Discussion: Semantic deficits are a key feature of MCI. Semantic tests should be incorporated in routine clinical assessments.

Mots clés: semantic memory; naming; MCI; Alzheimer's disease; meta-analysis

Domaines: Neurosciences [q-bio.NC]; Sciences de l'Homme et Société; Psychologie

Sven Joubert, Ludovic Gardy, Mira Didic, Isabelle Rouleau, Emmanuel J. Barbeau. A Meta-Analysis of Semantic Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Neuropsychology Review, 2021, ⟨10.1007/s11065-020-09453-5⟩. ⟨hal-03015335⟩