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Normative data for the Pyramids and Palm Trees Test in the elderly Italian population

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Abstract

The Pyramids and Palm Tree Test (PPT) is a semantic memory test that measures the capacity to access detailed semantic information about words and pictures, necessary for the identification of the analogies, which link conceptually two perceptually, and functionally distinct entities. The present study aimed to provide normative data on a large sample of the elderly Italian population (N = 464; range of age = 49–94; range of education = 3–25) on both the word and the picture versions of the PPT. Results from multiple regression analyses showed that both age and education were significant predictors of performance in both the word and the picture versions of the PPT. Therefore, norms were calculated taking into account these demographic variables. The availability of normative data based on a large sample will allow a more reliable use of the PPT for clinical assessment in Italian-speaking dementia population.

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Acknowledgments

The present research was supported by a grant from Regione Campania 2004 (L.R: N.5, 28.03.2002) to Maria A. Brandimonte.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Via Suor Orsola, 10, 80135, Naples, Italy

    Nadia Gamboz, Emanuele Coluccia & Maria A. Brandimonte

  2. Neurological and Stroke Unit, CTO Hospital, Naples, Italy

    Alessandro Iavarone

  3. Department of Relational Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Alessandro Iavarone

Authors
  1. Nadia Gamboz
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  2. Emanuele Coluccia
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  3. Alessandro Iavarone
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  4. Maria A. Brandimonte
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nadia Gamboz.

Appendix

Appendix

Italian words used in the word version of the PPT

(the first word of each triads is the target stimulus)

Practice 1: Panciotto, Farfallino, Collana; Practice 2: Bottiglia, Tazza, Bicchiere; Practice 3: Pagliaccio, Leone, Giraffa; 1. Occhiali, Occhio, Orecchio; 2. Mani, Guanti, Pantofole; 3. Batteria, Lampada, Torcia; 4. Ditale, Ago, Filo; 5. Sella, Capra, Cavallo; 6. Ancora, Canoa, Nave; 7. Cuscino, Letto, Sedia; 8. Topi, Cane, Gatto; 9. Alberi, Cipolla, Mela; 10. Eschimese, Igloo, Casa; 11. Fiammiferi, Lampadina, Candela; 12. Piramide, Palma, Pino; 13. Croce, Chiesa, Castello; 14. Biglietto, Auto, Bus; 15. Ragnatela, Ape, Ragno; 16. Mulino, Narciso, Tulipano; 17. Carota, Agnello, Asino; 18. Tenda, Fuoco, Termosifone; 19. Formaggio, Coniglio, Topo; 20. Anello, Dito, Pollice; 21. Cuccia, Cane, Gatto; 22. Soldati, Chiesa, Castello; 23. Bruco, Farfalla, Libellula; 24. Lana, Cani, Pecore; 25. Gallo, Verme, Serpente; 26. Suora, Chiesa, Casa; 27. Pipistrello, Gufo, Picchio; 28. Poltrona, Scarponi, Pantofole; 29. Tronchi, Martello, Sega; 30. Uova, Gallina, Cigno; 31. Pozzanghera, Nuvole, Sole; 32. Razzo, Stella, Luna; 33. Topo, Gabbia, Cuccia; 34. Pastore, Topi, Pecore; 35. Trapano, Vite, Chiodo; 36. Pesce, Gatto, Cane; 37. Stetoscopio, Lingua, Cuore; 38. Medaglia, Soldati, Eschimese; 39. Spilla da Balia, Bambina, Neonato; 40. Ghiande, Asino, Maiale; 41. Neonato, Letto, Culla; 42. Latte,Mucca, Toro; 43. Rasoio, Mento, Naso; 44. Tenda, Porta, Finestra; 45. Ventilatore, Luna, Sole; 46. Lucchetto, Bicicletta, Auto; 47. Sentiero, Mani, Piedi; 48. Soffietto, Fuoco, Candela; 49. Maschera, Pagliaccio, Sindaco; 50. Lavagna, Tavolo, Banco; 51. Inchiostro, Matita, Penna; 52. Eschimese, Barca a Remi, Canoa.

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Gamboz, N., Coluccia, E., Iavarone, A. et al. Normative data for the Pyramids and Palm Trees Test in the elderly Italian population. Neurol Sci 30, 453–458 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0130-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0130-y

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