Liukkonen, Iida Vilhelmiina (2023) Processing speed as Predictor of Face Name Associative Memory Exam Performance. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Background: The Face Name Associative Memory Exam (FNAME) is a neuropsychological test for early signs of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This thesis examines the influence of processing speed (PS) on FNAME performance in older individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) in the Netherlands. Associative memory (AM) is among the first cognitive domains to decline already at the precursor stages of AD. Another domain, PS decreases in aging, especially with underlying pathology. Objective: this thesis seeks to: 1) assess the impact of PS on FNAME performance, thereby enhancing understanding of AM deficits, 2) examine the FNAME's convergent validity with 15WT, and 3) evaluate the internal consistency of newest version of FNAME, which includes four new subtests. Method and Results: A simple linear regression analysis was conducted which revealed a moderate effect of PS on FNAME performance, explaining 21% of variance. Convergent validity with the 15WT was evaluated through Pearson R correlations showing moderate to strong relationships, except for two new FNAME subscales. Internal consistency was of FNAME was analyzed with Pearson R correlation analysis which yielded significant, strong correlations for all subscales but two of the new subscales. Discussion: This analysis contributes valuable insights into the interplay between PS and FNAME and refines our understanding of FNAME as a neuropsychological instrument. The addition of "Free Name Recall" and "Face-Name Matching" are valuable additions to the test, while the “Face Recognition” and “Name Recognition” scales provided no new insights and could potentially be removed. Conclusion: The analysis showed that the FNAME has a good internal consistency and convergent validity with 15WT. The investigation on PS showed that it can indeed influence FNAME performance and this should be taken into account when assessing AM performance, by controlling for it statistically.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Enriquez Geppert, S. and Garcia Pimenta, M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Dec 2023 10:02 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Dec 2023 10:02 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2944 |
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