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Is A Lack Of Primacy Effect Always A Symptom Of Alzheimer's Disease?

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Posted on Sat, 7 Nov 2015
Question: Is a lack of primacy effect always a symptom of alzheimer's? For example when I did the ravlt test I scored in the 98th percentile but on the first word list I didn't recall the primacy words.
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Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is not always a symptom of Alzheimer's.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

Lack of primacy effect is not always due to Alzheimer's disease.

Stress and anxiety of performing during the test can cause poor retention of words heard earlier in RAVLT.

As you have scored 98th percentile on RAVLT, this is a good score and rules out any chances of Alzheimer's dementia.

Also, dementia at your age of 21 is extremely rare or virtually impossible.
Though, anxiety and depression can cause pseudodementia.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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Is A Lack Of Primacy Effect Always A Symptom Of Alzheimer's Disease?

Brief Answer: It is not always a symptom of Alzheimer's. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. Lack of primacy effect is not always due to Alzheimer's disease. Stress and anxiety of performing during the test can cause poor retention of words heard earlier in RAVLT. As you have scored 98th percentile on RAVLT, this is a good score and rules out any chances of Alzheimer's dementia. Also, dementia at your age of 21 is extremely rare or virtually impossible. Though, anxiety and depression can cause pseudodementia. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Thanks.