Comparative Memory/Behavioral Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

169 Pages·2017·1.84 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2016
Comparative Memory/Behavioral Symptoms of
Alzheimer's disease: EOAD vs. LOAD
Marcia Gale Roberson
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Marcia G. Roberson

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. David Yells, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Annemarie Murphy, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty
Dr. John Astin, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2016
Abstract
Comparative Memory/Behavioral Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: EOAD vs. LOAD
by
Marcia G. Roberson

MBA, American Intercontinental University - June 2008
BS, University of Houston Central Campus - May 1985

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Clinical Psychology

Walden University
November 2016
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a fatal disorder with no apparent cure. Early-onset AD
(EOAD) occurs in individuals before the age of 65, and late-onset AD (LOAD) occurs in
individuals age 65 and older. Past studies have proven that AD is fatal among Americans
age 65 and older. The disease is characterized by impairments in memory and executive
function as well as other cognitive and behavioral problems. The research questions
addressed by this sequential, mixed-method study compared EOAD and LOAD by
exploring common behavioral/cognitive symptoms and stage levels of AD. Research
participants were recruited from the Alzheimer’s Association who were members of
caregiver support groups and cared for an individual with AD. The qualitative component
of this study consisted of a qualitative interview given to caregivers (N = 6), which was
audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim using the 6-phase thematic analysis.
Sequentially, the quantitative component of this study consisted of the BEHAVE-AD and
Short IQCODE instruments, which were filled out and completed by caregivers (N = 20)
on behalf of patients with probable AD. These data were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA,
with the alpha set at 0.05. Integration of qualitative and quantitative results indicated no
differences in cognitive or behavioral symptoms of either EOAD or LOAD care
recipients. These findings have implications for positive social change by continually
involving caregiver participants in future studies. Doing so can ensure that care
recipients, whether they have been diagnosed at EOAD or LOAD, have a voice.
Comparative Memory/Behavioral Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: EOAD vs. LOAD
by
Marcia G. Roberson

MBA, American Intercontinental University - June 2008
BS, University of Houston Central Campus - May 1985

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Clinical Psychology

Walden University
November 2016
Dedication
I dedicate this dissertation to my late parents, Travis J. and Willie M. Smith.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my committee chairperson, Dr. David Yells, committee
member, Dr. Annemarie Murphy, and URR person, Dr. John Astin, for the help and
guidance on my dissertation. Thanks to my loving husband, Glenn Roberson, for giving
me moral and financial support; as well as being so patient and understanding. My two
sons and daughter-in-laws for stepping in and giving me their love, support and
understanding throughout this long process. I would like to also acknowledge my sisters,
brother, and cousins for listening and cheering me on when I was running out of energy;
and thanks to all the caring friends who gave me that ray of sunshine when the clouds
seem to take over at times. Without all of these individuals, I could not have reached this
point in my academic career.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................7
Research Questions and Hypotheses ...........................................................................12
Framework ...................................................................................................................12
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................13
Definition of Terms......................................................................................................14
Significance..................................................................................................................18
Summary ......................................................................................................................19
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................20
Literature Search ..........................................................................................................21
Amyloid Hypothesis and Memory Theory of AD .......................................................22
Genetic Varieties of AD...............................................................................................23
Who is affected by AD ................................................................................................27
Brain Functions and Structures ....................................................................................28
Brain Regions...............................................................................................................29
Memory Processes .......................................................................................................31
i
Encoding ......................................................................................................................32
Storage .........................................................................................................................32
Explicit and Implicit Memory ......................................................................................34
Explicit Memory: Episodic and Semantic ...................................................................35
Implicit Memory: Procedural Memory ........................................................................39
Symptoms and Stages of AD .......................................................................................42
Risk Factors for AD .....................................................................................................43
Diagnosis of AD ..........................................................................................................44
Screening for AD .........................................................................................................45
Treatment/Prolongation of AD ....................................................................................46
Summary ......................................................................................................................52
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................56
Methodology ................................................................................................................56
Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................57
Research Questions and Hypotheses ...........................................................................58
Mixed Method Approach .............................................................................................58
Participants and Sample Size .......................................................................................59
Participant Protection and Rights.................................................................................61
Instrumentation ............................................................................................................62
Data Collection and Analysis.......................................................................................67
Summary ......................................................................................................................70
ii
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................72
Introduction ..................................................................................................................72
Research Questions and Hypotheses ...........................................................................73
Demographic Samples and Data Collection ................................................................73
Data Analysis: Qualitative Component .......................................................................78
Data Analysis: Quantitative Component .....................................................................79
Results of Qualitative Component ...............................................................................81
Results of Quantitative Component .............................................................................86
Evidence of Trustworthiness........................................................................................97
Summary ......................................................................................................................98
Chapter 5: Findings, Limitations, and Recommendations ...............................................101
Introduction ................................................................................................................101
Interpretation of the Findings.....................................................................................101
Qualitative Findings ...................................................................................................101
Quantitative Findings .................................................................................................102
Summary of Findings .................................................................................................103
Limitations .................................................................................................................104
Recommendations ......................................................................................................105
Implications for Social Change ..................................................................................105
Conclusion .................................................................................................................106
References ........................................................................................................................110
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