The relationship between severity of apraxia of speech and working memory

Abstract Based on previously observed relationships between working memory (WM) and speech, the current study investigated the relationship between degree of oral apraxia (AOS) and WM capacity. Methods: This study involved assessment and classification of degree of apraxia of speech in 22 apraxic pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Karin Zazo Ortiz, Fernanda Chapchap Martins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Associação Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento
Series:Dementia & Neuropsychologia
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1980-57642010000100063&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Abstract Based on previously observed relationships between working memory (WM) and speech, the current study investigated the relationship between degree of oral apraxia (AOS) and WM capacity. Methods: This study involved assessment and classification of degree of apraxia of speech in 22 apraxic participants and evaluation of WM capacity using digit span and word-list repetition tests. Both tests were able to assess the phonoarticulatory loop, while the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test investigated the phonoarticulatory loop and the episodic buffer. Results: Independently from the degree of apraxia of speech, all of participants presented compromise in WM. Conclusions: The data presented might suggest that individuals with AOS typically have WM impairment, but it is still not clear if the severity of AOS is related to WM capacity. Future studies could verify the relationship between the severity of apraxia and the severity of WM deficits.
ISSN:1980-5764