Sensitivity of two visual reproduction tests to alcoholic brain impairment.

Abstract

The Wechsler Memory Scale Visual Reproduction subtest and the Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test were administered to alcoholics to examine visual reproduction impairment. The initial test group was comprised of 28 inpatients in an alcohol treatment program while 16 subsequent inpatients served as the cross-validation group. The Visual Reproduction subtest correlated significantly with an average impairment index both in the initial group and the less-impaired cross validation group. The Complex Figure scores showed significant correlations with the average impairment index only in the initial group. It was concluded that the most likely reason for this outcome was the emphasis upon intentional learning in the Visual Reproduction subtest as opposed to the emphasis upon incidental learning in the Complex Figure recall task. The results were discussed in the context that alcoholics may have an impaired ability to use efficient encoding strategies spontaneously.