Assessing knowledge: psychometric properties of the BAMS semantic memory battery

Laiss Bertola,Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz

doi:10.1590/0101-60830000000152

Laiss Bertola, Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000152

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract Background: Semantic memory is a cultural influenced cognitive domain that is responsible for our knowledge about words and the world. Semantic Memory Battery (BAMS) is a new battery that evaluate semantic memory based on a compendium of tasks, including verbal fluency, naming, conceptualization, categorization, general questions, and word definitions, and was designed to consider cultural aspects. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the BAMS psychometrics structure comprising classical and modern analysis, and also evaluate a clinical subdivision of the battery. Methods: 114 Brazilian cognitively healthy older adults BAMS performance provided data for psychometric analysis using validity tests, item response theory analysis and confirmatory factor analysis for goodness-of-fit measures. Results: BAMS results revealed good validity and good-fit measures in each subtest, total score (X2 = 20.684, p = 0.110) and a hierarchical structure with clinical subdivision of the battery (X2 = 20.089, p = 0.093). Discussion: BAMS is a new compendium of tasks that evaluate distinct aspects of semantic memory and can clinically consider the impact of executive function. This battery evaluates verbal fluency, naming, conceptualization, categorization, general knowledge and word definitions. The BAMS has clinical importance once semantic memory is mostly influenced by culture and language, and there is an absence of broadly semantic memory tests in our scenario, especially with older adults that can have a pathological aging condition that affects primarily or secondarily this domain.

Highlights

Semantic memory is a subcomponent of long-term declarative memory responsible for general information about the world, words, definitions, categories, and concepts, operating like a knowledge store
The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the Verbal Fluency subtest indicated that the category of birds was not a significant parameter and was excluded, remaining five categories
The objective of the present study was to analyze the properties of the Semantic Memory Battery (BAMS) using modern and classical psychometrics analysis to better select items and verify the general quality of the proposed battery in a sample of older adults

Summary

Introduction

Semantic memory is a subcomponent of long-term declarative memory responsible for general information about the world, words, definitions, categories, and concepts, operating like a knowledge store. The semantic knowledge distributes across the brain[1] This cognitive system has a semantic control network and a huband-spoke representational network, that interact providing a generalization of concepts across contexts and retrieving conceptual properties of stimuli, respectively[1]. Semantic Memory Battery (BAMS) is a new battery that evaluate semantic memory based on a compendium of tasks, including verbal fluency, naming, conceptualization, categorization, general questions, and word definitions, and was designed to consider cultural aspects. Discussion: BAMS is a new compendium of tasks that evaluate distinct aspects of semantic memory and can clinically consider the impact of executive function. This battery evaluates verbal fluency, naming, conceptualization, categorization, general knowledge and word definitions.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion