Anaphoric processing deficits in Alzheimer’s disease: the role of working memory

Abstract

Empirical studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients have language-processing difficulties. In particular, they frequently fail to identify the referent of pronouns and other anaphoric expressions. In healthy individuals, the explicit  repetition of proper names elicits a processing delay known as the repeated name penalty. However, in Alzheimer’s patients, such repetitions help them establish connections between phrases and allow them to process language more easily. The study of anaphoric processing in patients with cognitive deficits shows: (a) the existence of design features of the language faculty independent of the language in question; (b) the interdependence of language and other cognitive processes; (c) the involvement of working memory in the resolution of pronouns; (d) the contribution of psycholinguistics to the improvement of communication between Alzheimer’s patients and health care professionals.