Gender-based variation in short-term memory in age-matched healthy male and female subjects

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Background: Memory is the ability to process, retain, and subsequently recall information of the past learned experiences. Memory is divided into sensory memory and short-term and long-term memory depending on its processing status. Sensory memory by verbal mode undergoes encoding to form short-term memory (STM). Estrogen is thought to have a facilitating effect on verbal memory in which women typically excel. Aim and Objective: This study has been planned with the aim to study the effect of gender on STM in age-matched males and females. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out on 80 male and 80 female subjects after seeking their consent and sorting out inclusion and exclusion criteria, using California Verbal Learning Test II. For comparing age- and gender-wise memory status, following groups were formed of 20 subjects each: Group A: 21–30 years; Group B: 31–40 years; Group C: 41–50 years; and Group D: 51–60 years. Further groups were divided into two groups: Group I – Male subjects and Group II – Female subjects. Results: Statistical analysis (paired “t-test”) showed significantly better performance in age-matched Group II for immediate free recall for all 5 trials, short-delay recall, long-delay recall, and recognition memory which decreased gradually with progression of age. Conclusion: Recall of memory decreases, perhaps due to decreased hormone levels in both males and females as age advances, but seen comparatively more in males. Furthermore, there is a scope of improvement in learning, if trials are increased for any activity.