Semantic memory as a predictor of cognitive impairment in institutionalized older adults in Lima

Livia-Segovia J.; Grasso L.; Herrera-Pino A.D.; Ortiz-Morán M.; Benavides-Munarriz N. · Enfermeria Global (2025) · DOI: 10.6018/eglobal.621891

Resumen

Objective: To identify which components of semantic memory are predictors of cognitive impairment in older adults. Material and Methods: Quantitative and predictive study, conducted on a non-probabilistic sample of 160 older adults in Metropolitan Lima, with an average age of 74.7 years, who were evaluated with the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSEA) on the Semantic Memory Evaluation Battery for Adults (EMSEA). Results: 20.7% of the sample presented cognitive impairment. Regarding semantic memory, 23.4% obtained a low level, 49.4% an intermediate level and 27.2% a high level. According to the multivariate model, the factors associated to cognitive impairment were the semantic memory subtests: Picture Naming, Attributes Recognition and Verification of True or False Statements (R2 = 30.8%, p≤.001). These results are reflected with a complementary network analysis, where the centrality analysis indicated that the Verbal Fluency task and Verification of True or False Statements, are the frameworks of greatest interest. Conclusions: The existence of associated factors of semantic memory that better predict cognitive deterioration are Picture Naming, Attributes Recognition and Verification of True or False Statements. © Servicio de Publicaciones - Universidad de Murcia

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal