EFFECTS OF SUDDEN INSIGHT ON LONG-TERM SENTENCE PRIMING IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate spared, long-term sentenc e priming in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) using a sentenc e puzzle task. The sentence puzzle task required a decision either yes or no - regarding the correctness of an answer supplied for a sentenc e puzzle. Twelve persons with AD, 12 older controls, and 12 younger co ntrols took part. Speed of response (deciding if a puzzle answer was c orrect or incorrect) was recorded, with increased speed at retesting a fter 30-min and 1-week delays used as an index of priming. Individuals with AD demonstrated sentence priming over both a 30-min and 1-week d elay, comparable in form to that of controls. In addition, persons wit h AD were affected by stimulus parameters (correct/incorrect puzzle an swers; difficult/easy puzzles) in a similar manner as were controls.