Comprehension of metaphors and idioms in patients with Alzheimer's disease- A longitudinal study

Language in patients with Alzheimer's disease has been extensively studied, with the exception of non-literal language comprehension. However, in our speech, we often make use of expressions, which are not necessarily interpr eted on a literal ground. Comprehension of metaphors and idioms was examine d in 39 patients with probable early Alzheimer's disease. The results showe d that the decline of figurative language is not an early symptom of dement ia and can occur independently from the impairment of propositional languag e. It was also found that metaphors and idioms differ as far as the predomi nant kind of error is concerned.