Long-term memory (LTM) is one of the diverse cognitive functions
adversely affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). The LTM deficits
have often been attributed to failure of retrieval, whereas
encoding processes are presumed intact. However, support for
this view comes primarily from studies in which encoding and
retrieval operations were not investigated systematically. In
the current study, we used an encoding specificity paradigm
to examine the robustness of encoding in MS and to specifically
evaluate the impact of the disease on contextual memory. We
hypothesized that persons with MS would exhibit a selective
impairment in retrieving items from LTM when required to generate
new cue-target associations at encoding, but not when cues held
a strong preexisting relationship to the targets. The findings
supported the hypotheses. We conclude that the mnemonic deficits
associated with MS affect both encoding and retrieval.
Specifically, problems with binding of contextual information
at encoding impair effective retrieval of memories. Nonetheless,
access to these memories can be gained through preexisting
associations organized in the semantic network. (JINS,
2002, 8, 395–409.)
Connecting Working and Long-Term Memory: A Model- Based Analysis of Encoding and Retrieval Processes