Non-literal language in mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

In this work, we intent to characterize the performance of individuals with the diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in non-literal tasks (proverbs, idiomatic expressions and non-literal text). This study includes 35 individuals with MCI and 30 healthy ones. For language characterization, literal tasks were applied, showing deficits in the performance of complex tasks (Semantic decision and Token Test). The results obtained in non-literal evaluation showed a significant deficit in the MCI population compared with the group control performance in these tasks. These results lead us, to the hypothesis, that complex language maybe sensitive, to language deficits in MCI population.

Date of Award	2013
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Manuela Guerreiro (Supervisor) & Alexandra de Mendonça (Supervisor)