Word retrieval in connected speech in Alzheimer’s disease: A review with meta-analyses
Abstract
Background: Language assessment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) demonstrates deficits in single-word production, but rarely includes connected speech.Aims: If Alzheimer’s disease leads to deficits in lexical retrieval, we should find reduced word output in connected speech, limited lexical diversity, an increase in retrieval errors, and an association between scores on tests of single-word production and measures of word retrieval in context. The purpose of this review was to investigate these hypotheses across studies of connected speech in AD.Main Contribution: A search of Medline and PsychNET identified 51 articles (published in 1985–2016) that reported data from 1,114 individuals with AD and 1,280 cognitively healthy individuals. A meta-analysis showed a significant but small reduction in word output in AD. No consistent decrease in the proportion of unique words was documented, but there was indication that individuals with AD produce more frequent words than do controls. An analysis of errors documented a moderate effect size, showing that individuals with AD commit more retrieval errors of all types. A relatively strong association was found between picture-naming scores and measures of word retrieval in connected speech.Conclusions: The review shows that individuals with AD experience significant lexical retrieval difficulties in connected speech.
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Systematic reviews show that speech and language studies across neurodegenerative diseases span fewer than 20 languages, most tested in only a handful of papers.
“Also, as shown by systematic reviews, speech and language studies across neurodegenerative diseases span fewer than 20 languages, most of them tested in only a handful of papers. 4,5,47,81-83”
From Speech and language markers of neurodegeneration: a call for global equity (2023) · cites this paper as [83]
English is predominant in Alzheimer's disease research, accounting for 69% of word retrieval studies and over 40% of ASLA reports.
“This language is also predominant in Alzheimer's disease research, accounting for 69% of word retrieval studies 83 and over 40% of ASLA reports 47”
From Speech and language markers of neurodegeneration: a call for global equity (2023) · cites this paper as [83]
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Connected speech features from picture description in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review
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- Authors
- Kavé, G., & Goral, M.
- Affiliations
- Open University of Israel (IL)
- Lehman College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kavé, Gitit
- Venue
- Aphasiology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-06-13
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 4-26
- ISSN
- 0268-7038 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-5041
- OpenAlex
- W2626281207
- Cited by
- 56
- References
- 87
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 3.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Aphasiology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
- Keywords
- Alzheimer's disease, word retrieval, connected speech, lexical diversity, retrieval errors, picture naming, single word production, language assessment
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