Interplay between memory and executive functions in normal and pathological aging

Healthy older adults and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are reported in the literature to be impaired in memory and executive functions. This research investigates the extent of these two abilities in determining pathological aging. Groups of young-old and old-old healthy people (Experiment 1) and individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) and AD (Experiment 2) were administered verbal and visuo-spatial tests graded for memory and/or executive requirements. Results indicate a decline in visuo-spatial tasks requiring memory and executive functions in healthy aging. The a-MCI showed memory deficits similar to those shown by AD, but preserved executive functions. Executive function decline could be the critical feature of dementia.