Memory and Social Interactions: Study in Alzheimer's Disease and Semantic Progressive Aphasia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how memory and social interactions are connected, focusing on people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (SPPA). The study aims to find out if learning new information in social settings can help these patients and how social behavior changes might affect this learning. The research also explores brain activity related to memory in social contexts to better understand cognitive and personality changes in these conditions. Participants include people with AD, SPPA, and healthy controls matched by age and gender. They will engage in learning tasks involving locating images in a grid under three social conditions: alone, by observing a partner, and collaboratively. These activities are designed as memory games involving pairs of drawings. Alongside, participants will complete tests assessing social cognition, memory, executive function, social behavior, and personality. Brain MRI scans will be performed on patients and matched controls to study anatomical and functional aspects. During the study, participants will be tested on their memory performance through these learning tasks and complete various questionnaires. MRI scans will help identify brain areas involved in social learning. The main outcome is the Social Memory Test conducted over two days. The study includes 92 healthy partners interacting with patients to support the social learning tasks. Participation involves assessments and monitoring of cognitive and social behaviors to understand learning benefits in social contexts for people with cognitive disorders.

Memory and Social Interactions