Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders

Coordinator's Column

Roth, C. — 2013-05-15T14:00:24-07:00

CE Introduction

Rogalski, Y. — 2013-05-15T14:00:24-07:00

Normal Cognitive Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Drawing the Fine Line

Fleming, V. B. — 2013-05-15T14:00:24-07:00

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional diagnostic category between normal cognitive aging and dementia. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have a role in the management of MCI, particularly the assessment and treatment of cognitive-communicative impairments related to MCI. The difficulty lies in distinguishing between normal cognitive aging and pathological aging. SLPs will need to be equipped with knowledge regarding the neurobiological, cognitive, and cognitive-communicative changes occurring in both normal and pathological aging, specifically the alterations arising in MCI.

What are the Methods for Diagnosing MCI?

Key-DeLyria, S. — 2013-05-15T14:00:24-07:00

Speech-language pathologists will be increasingly called upon to screen for, identify, and assess mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as the population ages. The diagnosis of MCI involves several professionals and requires an evaluation of normal and abnormal cognition and cognitive-communication, which a speech-language pathologist is in a unique position to provide. The general diagnostic criteria for MCI diagnosis are largely agreed upon at this point in time, and subtypes of MCI are receiving increasing attention. Early identification of MCI and detailed characterization of functioning will be more important as therapy targeting prevention of dementia and early cognitive dysfunction is developed. Speech-language pathologists should have a working knowledge of the diagnostic criteria and currently accepted subtypes in order to serve this population.

Therapy Techniques for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Bourgeois, M. S. — 2013-05-15T14:00:24-07:00

There is increasing concern among people in late middle age about cognitive changes they experience for everyday memory tasks. They are especially fearful that these memory lapses signal the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). For some, the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a transitional state between normal aging and early dementia that precipitates a search for therapies to prevent conversion to AD. The purpose of this article is to describe a continuum of therapeutic approaches for the cognitive challenges experienced by persons with MCI, discuss the growing evidence for promising techniques to address these challenges, and outline a university-based memory strategies intervention program that incorporates several effective strategies.

Activity Engagement in Cognitive Aging: A Review of the Evidence

Rogalski, Y., Quintana, M. — 2013-05-15T14:00:24-07:00

The population of older adults is rapidly increasing, as is the number and type of products and interventions proposed to prevent or reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Advocacy and prevention are part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA's) scope of practice documents, and speech-language pathologists must have basic awareness of the evidence contributing to healthy cognitive aging. In this article, we provide a brief overview outlining the evidence on activity engagement and its effects on cognition in older adults. We explore the current evidence around the activities of eating and drinking with a discussion on the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, alcohol, and coffee. We investigate the evidence on the hypothesized neuroprotective effects of social activity, the evidence on computerized cognitive training, and the emerging behavioral and neuroimaging evidence on physical activity. We conclude that actively aging using a combination of several strategies may be our best line of defense against cognitive decline.