The Effects of Central Versus Peripheral Distraction on Visual and Verbal Learning

Learning and Consolidation of Verbal Declarative Memory in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Zeitschrift für Psychologie / Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1027/0044-3409/a000020 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 218 (2) ◽

pp. 135-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Slawomira J. Diener ◽

Herta Flor ◽

Michèle Wessa

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Declarative Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Learning Performance ◽

Ptsd Symptoms

Impairments in declarative memory have been reported in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fragmentation of explicit trauma-related memory has been assumed to impede the formation of a coherent memorization of the traumatic event and the integration into autobiographic memory. Together with a strong non-declarative memory that connects trauma reminders with a fear response the impairment in declarative memory is thought to be involved in the maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Fourteen PTSD patients, 14 traumatized subjects without PTSD, and 13 non-traumatized healthy controls (HC) were tested with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to assess verbal declarative memory. PTSD symptoms were assessed with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale and depression with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Several indices of the CVLT pointed to an impairment in declarative memory performance in PTSD, but not in traumatized persons without PTSD or HC. No group differences were observed if recall of memory after a time delay was set in relation to initial learning performance. In the PTSD group verbal memory performance correlated significantly with hyperarousal symptoms, after concentration difficulties were accounted for. The present study confirmed previous reports of declarative verbal memory deficits in PTSD. Extending previous results, we propose that learning rather than memory consolidation is impaired in PTSD patients. Furthermore, arousal symptoms may interfere with successful memory formation in PTSD.

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Dynamic Assessment of Cognitive Rehabilitation Potential in Schizophrenic Persons and in Elderly Persons With and Without Dementia

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027//1015-5759.17.2.112 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 112-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Karl H. Wiedl ◽

Henning Schöttke ◽

M. Dolores Calero Garcia

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Dynamic Assessment ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Verbal Working Memory ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Static Test ◽

Rehabilitation Potential

Summary: Dynamic assessment is a diagnostic approach in which specific interventions are integrated into assessment procedures to estimate cognitive modifiability. The study investigates the utility of this approach in persons with compelling rehabilitational needs. Samples of schizophrenic patients and of elderly with and without dementia were assessed with dynamic versions of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Both tests were administered by applying specific procedures of verbal mediation designed to increase performance. Results demonstrated superior predictive validity with regard to proficiency in a clinical training in schizophrenic subjects and better discrimination of nondemented and demented elderly with the help of dynamic measures compared to static test scores. Subsequent correlational analyses indicated that, for both tests, performance change following intervention is related to the processing of verbal context information. Results are discussed with respect to the concept of verbal working memory as one component of the patients' rehabilitation potential.

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Error Analysis in Neuropsychological Assessment of Verbal Memory and Learning

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.11.1.21 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 21-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Dietmar Heubrock

Keyword(s):

Error Analysis ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Learning Disorders ◽

Memory And Learning ◽

Auditory Verbal Learning Test ◽

Additional Information ◽

Auditory Verbal Learning ◽

Accurate Picture ◽

Learning Test

Performance on a German version of the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) was investigated for 64 juvenile patients who were subdivided in 6 clinical groups. In addition to standard evaluation of AVLT protocols which is usually confined to items recalled correctly, an error analysis was performed. Differentiating between total errors (TE), repetition errors (RE), and misnamings (ME), substantial differences between clinical groups could be demonstrated. It is argued that error analysis of verbal memory and learning enriches the understanding of neuropsychological syndromes, and provides additional information for diagnostic and clinical use. Thus, it is possible to gain a more accurate picture so that patients can be appropriately retrained, and research into the functional causes of memory and learning disorders can be intensified.

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