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Dissertation
Comprehension of emotion in neurodegenerative disorders
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jul 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-32
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that the posterior corpus callosum is smaller in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Conversely, it has been demonstrated that patients with frontal systems deficits also have degradation of the anterior corpus callosum. Although these investigations indicate possible morphological relationships between the corpus callosum and cortical structures in neurodegenerative disorders, the relationship between specific neuropsychological measure of cognitive functioning and morphological measurements of the corpus callosum have not been established. This investigation examined the relationship between degeneration of the corpus callosum using magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) and neuropsychological data in cognitively demented patients in an attempt to identify a neuropsychological index of cortical and cognitive integrity. It was hypothesized that mid-saggital area measurements of the posterior corpus callosum would be related to cognitive measures of memory and language. Similarly, it was predicted that measurements of the anterior corpus callosum would be related to assessments of executive function. Further, it was predicted that selective degradation of anterior and posterior callosal structures would discriminate between subcortical ischaemic vascular dementia (IVD) and AD, respectively. Participants included nine individuals diagnosed with AD and eight with IVD, who were comparable for age (AD-79.78 yrs., SD=4.02; IVD=76.75, SD=5.06), education, level of dementia, depression and handedness. Contrary to expectations, negative correlations were found between measures of working memory and anterior regions of the corpus callosum (r=-.72, p<.001). Also, positive correlations associated measures of long delay verbal declarative memory (r=.55, p<.05). Also contrary to expectations, posterior regions were negatively associated with clock drawing to command (r=-.62, p<.001), and positively correlated with measure of graphomotor perseverations (r=.51, p<.05). Area measurements of callosal regions did not discriminate between groups, however, the mean values for all regions suggested the corpora callosa of the AD group was larger than that of the ischaemic vascular cohort. In context of recent literature comparing various dementia groups to healthy referents, it appears that the morphology of the corpus callosum is a sensitive, yet not specific index of cortical integrity. The implications of these unanticipated results and suggestions for future investigation are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Comprehension of emotion in neurodegenerative disorders
- Creators
- Kelly L. Davis - DU
- Contributors
- Douglas L. Chute (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 32; 991014632393204721