Repeat & Point German Adaptation of a tool for differentiating semantic dementia and primary progressive aphasia

Doctors and neuropsychologists need easy applicable tests to diagnose and differentiate various types of dementia. It can be difficult in the case of neurodegenerative processes leading to progressing language problems, especially semantic dementia (SD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Hodges et al. (2008) developed therefore the „Repeat and Point Test“ (R&PT) practicable within ca. 10 minutes (Cortex 44, 1265–1270; www.ftdrg.org/research/test-downloads).

For the R&PT, the patient first has to repeat a word given by the examiner and afterwards point to the associated picture on a board with 6 distractors (7 photographs in total). The R&PT has been adapted for the German language area.

The following factors have been considered: applicability, number, structure and frequency of syllables. In total 19 items have been selected, which could easily be shown on a picture and had either more that 3 syllables or a low frequency of occurring syllables and a more complex syllable structure than simple consonant-vowel-order in German (for example „Schmetterling“–„butterfly“ or „Zipfelmütze“–„jelly bag cap“).

This first version of the R&PT was tested on 21 healthy controls, age ranging from 63 to 96 years (average: 72.5). Due to problems with the identification (e.g. „Klettergerüst“–„junglegym“) or repetition (e.g. „Schmuckschatulle“–„jewel case“) 6 items have been excluded, which are not used for testing patients.

With the 13 left items the adapted version is now tested on patients. First results from patients with SD and PPA support Hodges et al. 2008 finding; an unambiguous separation of the two groups by the R&PT.

With the German adaption of the „Repeat and Point Test“ especially facilities without a high level of diagnostic instruments can use a simply applicable tool for differentiating progressive language problems caused by neurodegenerative processes.