Working Memory Functioning in Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia

"The intervention consists in a computerized working memory task. This task follows the design of a complex span task, involving alternation between memorization and processing steps.~For each trial, participants have to memorize French words. These words are sequentially displayed on the screen. Between each word, participants perform a processing task consisting in a spatial location task: They have to determine if a shape is at the top or at the bottom of the screen. After each processing episode, participants have a free time (i.e., available time to maintain information in WM). At the end of each trial, participants perform an orally immediate recall. This experimental task involves several conditions in order to manipulate the opportunities for the spontaneous use of refreshing and elaborative strategies."

"As part of routine care, participants in the patient group undergo a standardized clinical neuropsychological assessment that evaluates several cognitive functions. The investigators hypothesize correlations between working memory performance during the experimental task and the results of neuropsychological tests. Thus, the investigators consider the results to several French versions of neuropsychological tests:~* MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)~* Digit Span Backward subtest (WAIS-IV)~* Stroop Test~* Trail Making Test (TMT)~* Rappel Libre - Rappel Indicé à 16 items or GERIA-12~* Category fluences~* Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and ADL ."

"Participants in the control group undergo 2 tests clinical that evaluate cognitive functioning.~The investigators consider the results to French versions of these neuropsychological tests:~* MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination; )~* Digit Span Backward subtest (WAIS-IV)"