A-201 Attention Span, Verbal Memory, and Spatial Memory as Variables in Neuropsychological Test Performance

Abstract

Abstract Objective: We investigated (a) the role of attention span, verbal, and spatial memory in performance on widely used neuropsychological tests, and; (b) the impact of anxiety and depression on tests of attention span and verbal and spatial memory. Participants and Method: 579 referrals to memory disorders clinic, 60% women, 84% white non-Hispanic, average age 59.8±15.7 and education 14.9±2.9 years. Referred to help diagnose symptoms of forgetfulness, distractibility, and/or word finding difficulties. Used comprehensive battery (HRNES-R) and protocols were screened for performance invalidity. Results: Ten measures of attention and memory were factor analyzed (PCA/Varimax) yielding three factors: Spatial Recall (SR), Verbal Recall (VR), and Attention Span (AS). Age, not education, was related to AS (-.34) and SR (-.32), ps<.001, but not to VR. AS and SR were respectively predictive of performance on Category Test (rs=.37,.41), Trails B (.32,.48), TPT-Total Time (.35,.53), Coding (.31,.29), Block Design (.31,.37) and the Average Impairment Scale (AIS) (.45,.68), all ps<.001. In contrast, VR was less predictive across all measures. Levels of anxiety (MMPI-2 ANX) and depression (DEP) were not predictive of AS (-.01,.00), SR (.02,.02), or VR (.03,.02), n.s. Conclusions: After controlling for “incomplete effort”, attention span and spatial memory play a significant role in performance on widely used neuropsychological tests that tap multiple cognitive domains. The role of verbal memory in performance on these tests, while statistically significant, was less predictive. In general, findings suggest that when protocols are screened for performance invalidity, MMPI-2 levels of anxiety and depression have no relation to attention span or verbal/spatial memory test performance.