Cognitive stimulation of Autobiographic and Emotional Memory in a patient with Alzheimers Disease

Bruno D, Suppicich F, Schurman

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia for people over 65 years of age. AD is characterized by a progressive cognitive decline that generally begins with deficits in the anterograde memory and then evolves to a general cognitive deterioration. The decline of autobiographical memory in AD leads to a loss of knowledge about events that define patients’ lives and consequently, causes a degradation of self-knowledge and sense of identity. These difficulties compromise the patient’s autonomy, causing a decrease in the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. To promote cognition, independence, and wellbeing in AD’s patients medical and pharmacological treatments should be complemented by non -pharmacological interventions. The use of new technologies in non-pharmacological treatments is gaining importance. However; there are few reports on the effectiveness of these strategies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the use of autobiographical training software (ATS) on autobiographical and emotional memory in an AD’s patient. In the case reported, the use of the application stimulated autobiographical remembering, thus serving as a scaffolding toll for the reconstruction of semantic autobiographical memory

Relevant Publications in Journal of Neurosciences and Brain Imaging