Verbal Selective Reminding Test Research Articles

DIF in the Spanish Version of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test Using Samples From Hispanics in the United States, Mexicans, and Spaniards.

AimBefore a test can be used in the target population, it is necessary to demonstrate that there is measurement equivalence. One way to do this is by studying differential item functioning (DIF).ObjectiveIn this study, we used the Mantel–Haenszel procedure and logistic regression to analyze DIF in the Spanish version of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test between Spaniards, Mexicans, and Hispanics in the United States.MethodThree balanced samples, matched by age, education, and sex, were studied: Spaniards, Mexicans, and Hispanics [616 healthy participants from Spain (n = 211), Mexico (n = 201), and the United States (n = 205)]. A six-trial version of the Spanish version of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test was administered and scored according to standard procedures.ResultsStatistical analysis showed some DIF between the samples of Spaniards, Mexicans, and Hispanics. A bootstrap validation of results confirmed that the item pollo showed DIF: the Mexicans and Hispanics outperformed the Spaniards, holding a total score constant. The item oído also showed DIF and was remembered in greater measure by the Spaniards.ConclusionThe Spanish version of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test can be used with Hispanic populations.

Reliability of Chinese Version of Verbal Learning Test and Selective Reminding Test

Reliability of Chinese Version of Verbal Learning Test and Selective Reminding Test

Verbal Selective Reminding Test (six-trial administration): Regression-based norms for a portuguese version

ABSTRACTThe Verbal Selective Reminding Test (VSRT) is a widely used measure to evaluate verbal learning and memory associated with different neurological conditions. The goal of this study was to extend the use of the six-version trial of this test to the Portuguese population, through the production of adjusted normative data. The normative sample consists of 309 healthy participants aged between 20 and 70, with an educational level ranging from 4 to 23 years of formal. Gender, education, and age effects were explored. In addition, the reliability of the test was also analyzed and normative data produced. Gender, age, and education were significantly associated with VSRT performance. The test revealed excellent inter-rater reliability and good test–retest reliability. The normative data is presented as a regression-based formula to adjust test scores for gender, education and age. The correspondence between adjusted scores and percentile distribution was calculated. Since a test with appropriate norms is fundamental to an appropriate assessment of memory functioning, the normative data produced in this study improves the applicability of VRST for both clinical and research proposes in the Portuguese population. Further studies might also explore the adequacy of these norms for other Portuguese-speaking countries.

Choosing appropriate comparison group participants in studies of veterans: Characteristics of orthopedically injured and uninjured Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Research addressing deployment-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) is fairly complex due to a high prevalence of comorbid conditions, multiple exposures, and the lack of acute medical records. Therefore, there is a need for a well-defined, matching comparison group. This study compared deployment-related characteristics, everyday functioning, and cognitive performance in recently deployed veterans who had not sustained any injuries with those who had orthopedic injuries during deployment, but who were without a history of TBI. Method: Participants included 45 individuals who had been deployed and who were without injuries and a group of 27 individuals who reported at least one orthopedic injury during deployment. The Mayo–Portland Adaptability Inventory–4, Community Integration Questionnaire, Veterans RAND 36 Item Health Survey, Brief Pain Inventory, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale–11, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist–Civilian (PCL-C) were used to assess daily functioning. Cognitive performance was measured using the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Trail Making Test, Color–Word Interference Test, and Verbal Selective Reminding Test. The two groups were compared using t tests based on equal variances. The effect size was calculated. Results: There were no between-group differences, with all variables having p-values >.1 and small to medium effect sizes. Discussion: Orthopedic injuries sustained during deployment that did not require evacuation or hospitalization did not have any lasting effect on participants’ health, cognition, and daily functioning relative to other deployed individuals with no history of injury. These results indicate the two groups are comparable and that their data could be potentially combined to create a single comparison group. Due to the small sample available for this study, the current results are considered preliminary, and further investigation is needed.

Spatial memory for asymmetrical dot locations predicts lateralization among patients with presurgical mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

This study examined the ability of an asymmetrical dot location memory test (Brown Location Test, BLT) and two verbal memory tests (Verbal Selective Reminding Test (VSRT) and California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II)) to correctly lateralize left (LTLE) or right (RTLE) mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that was confirmed with video-EEG. Subjects consisted of 16 patients with medically refractory RTLE and 13 patients with medically refractory LTLE who were left hemisphere language dominant. Positive predictive values for lateralizing TLE correctly were 87.5% for the BLT, 72.7% for the VSRT, and 80% for the CVLT-II. Binary logistic regression indicated that the BLT alone correctly classified 76.9% of patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy and 87.5% of patients with right temporal lobe epilepsy. Inclusion of the verbal memory tests improved this to 92.3% of patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy and 100% correct classification of patients with right temporal lobe epilepsy. Though of a limited sample size, this study suggests that the BLT alone provides strong laterality information which improves with the addition of verbal memory tests.

Combat exposure, PTSD symptoms, and cognition following blast-related traumatic brain injury in OEF/OIF/OND service members and Veterans.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently documented among the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) veterans. This study will investigate both combat exposure and PTSD as factors that may influence objective cognitive outcomes following blast-related mild TBI (mTBI). Participants included 54 OEF/OIF/OND veterans who had been exposed to blast and reported symptoms consistent with mTBI and 43 combat-deployed control participants who had no history of blast exposure or TBI. Raw scores from the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Trail Making Test, Color-Word Interference Test, and Verbal Selective Reminding Test were used to measure cognitive functioning. All participants demonstrated adequate effort on the Word Memory Test. Demographics, injury characteristics, overall intellectual functioning, and total scores from the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) and Combat Exposure Scale (CES) were used as the predictors for each cognitive measure. History of mTBI was significantly associated with higher PCL-C and CES scores. Multivariable linear regression, however, showed no significant differences in cognitive performance between groups. The absence of effect of mTBI, PTSD, and combat exposure on cognitive functioning noted in this study may be partially explained by the inclusion of only those participants who passed performance validity testing.

Patterns of Early Emotional and Neuropsychological Sequelae after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Although mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is now recognized as a major health issue, there have been relatively few studies of its acute effects. Previous studies of mTBI assessed at 1 week or less post-injury have produced inconsistent results, spanning reports of no ill effects to findings of robust dysfunction. These gross disparities reflect study differences such as the criteria for mTBI diagnosis and selection of comparison groups. In consideration of these issues, this study investigated outcome in the first 96 hours after injury in adolescents and adults ages 12-30 years with mTBI (n=73) compared with orthopedically injured (OI, n=65) and typically developing controls (TDC, n=40). The mTBI group reported significantly greater general psychological distress, post-concussion symptom severity, and post-traumatic stress severity than OI (all p<0.0001) and TDC (all p<0.0001); the OI and TDC groups responded similarly on these variables. There was a significant Group × Age interaction on the Total score (p<0.009), and the Cognitive (p=0.01) and Somatic (p<0.032) subscales of the Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire where increasing symptom severity was associated with increasing age in the mTBI group. On neuropsychological assessment, the mTBI group performed significantly more poorly compared with OI for Verbal Selective Reminding Test (delayed recall, p=0.0003) and Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (SDMT written p=0.03; oral, p=0.001). The TDC group more robustly outperformed the mTBI group on these measures and also on the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (delayed recall, p<0.04), Letter Fluency (p<0.02), and Category Switching (p<0.04). The TDC group outperformed the OI group on SDMT and Letter Fluency. These findings are consistent with previous reports of acute deficits in episodic memory and processing speed acutely after mTBI. Notably, however, these data also demonstrate the challenges of comparison group selection because differences were also found between the TDC and OI groups.

Usefulness of verbal selective reminding in distinguishing frontal lobe memory disorders in epilepsy

Frontal lobe memory disorders are distinguished from hippocampal memory disorders by poor organization of encoding and retrieval, among other things. Because the verbal Selective Reminding Test (SRT) has a metamemory (“remembering-to-remember”) component, it may be useful in distinguishing frontal from temporal lobe memory disorders in patients with intractable epilepsy. Thirty-four patients with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and 34 with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation that included multiple memory and executive function tests. Patients with FLE performed significantly worse than those with TLE on SRT measures and Wechsler Memory Scale, Third Edition, Logical Memory (LM II), but not on other verbal and nonverbal memory tests. Furthermore, SRT and LM-II were significantly correlated with executive function measures. These findings have both theoretical and practical implications: (1) the memory impairment observed in frontal lobe disorders may be due, in part, to deficits in organizational strategy, monitoring, and remembering-to-remember, and (2) SRT and LM-II may be useful tests to differentiate frontal from temporal lobe memory disorders.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Perforant Pathway Zone and Its Relation to Memory Function in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Based on the importance of the perforant pathway (PP) for normal hippocampal function, the vulnerability of temporal structures, and significant memory impairment in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), we investigated in vivo changes in the PP zone, hippocampus, and temporal lobe white and gray matter using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and volumetric analysis, and any specific relations with memory performance (Verbal Selective Reminding Test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test), in 14 patients with severe TBI. Compared to a demographically-similar control group, our patients had significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for the PP zone bilaterally, and higher ADC bilaterally in the hippocampus. Volumetric analysis revealed significantly decreased volumes in both hippocampi and temporal gray matter bilaterally. Consistent long-term retrieval (CLTR) and delayed recall were significantly related to (1) right and left PP zone ADC, (2) left hippocampus ADC, and (3) left hippocampal volume. Nonverbal memory (immediate and delayed recall) was significantly associated with (1) right and left PP zone ADC, (2) left hippocampal volume, and (3) gray (immediate recall) and white (immediate recall, bilaterally; delayed recall, left) matter temporal volumes. Advanced neuroimaging analysis can detect in vivo changes in the PP zone and temporal structures in patients with severe TBI, with these changes being highly associated with memory impairment.

Normative Data for a Six-Trial Administration of a Spanish Version of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test

Normative data for 884 neurologically normal adults (15-93) are provided for a six-trial administration of Form 1 of the Spanish version of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test (VSRT). Form 2 was also administered to 391 adults (18-87). Age was the most important predictor of performance on all VSRT scores in Forms 1 and 2. Additionally, women and higher educated participants outperformed men and lower educated participants over the entire age range studied. Normative data are grouped by seven age cohorts: 15-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-95.

Evaluating the Relationship between Memory Functioning and Cingulum Bundles in Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Compromised memory functioning is one of the commonly reported cognitive sequelae seen following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been shown to be sufficiently sensitive at detecting early microstructural pathological alterations after mTBI. Given its location and shape, the cingulate, which is comprised of the cingulate gyrus (gray matter) and cingulum bundles (white matter), is selectively vulnerable to mTBI. In this study we examined the integrity of cingulum bundles using DTI, and the relationship between cingulum bundles and memory functioning. Twelve adolescents with mTBI and 11 demographically-matched healthy controls were studied. All participants with mTBI had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, and were without intracranial findings on CT scan. Brain scans were performed on average 2.92 days post-injury, and all participants were administered the Verbal Selective Reminding Test (VSRT), an episodic verbal learning and memory task. Participants with mTBI had a significantly lower apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) bilaterally than controls (p < 0.001). Despite the marginal significance of the group difference in fractional anisotropy (FA), the effect size between groups was moderate (d = 0.66). Cognitively, healthy controls performed better than the TBI group on immediate and delayed recall; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. In the mTBI group, FA of the left cingulum bundle was significantly correlated with 30-min delayed recall (r = -0.56, p = 0.05). A marginally significant correlation was found between ADC of the left cingulum bundle and the total words of immediate recall (r = 0.59, p = 0.07). No significant correlation was found between DTI metrics and memory functioning for the control group. These preliminary findings indicate that cingulate injury likely contributes to the cognitive sequelae seen during the early phase post-mTBI.

Verbal memory impairment in children with focal epilepsy

Findings of both material- and hemisphere-specific influence on memory performance in children with epilepsy are inconsistent. Verbal memory of 80 children with focal epilepsy, aged 7 to 16, was assessed and compared with verbal memory of 80 healthy schoolchildren. The Verbal Selective Reminding test was used to distinguish between patients with left-sided ( N = 38) and patients with right-sided ( N = 42) electroencephalographic focal abnormalities. In addition, groups with temporal ( N = 36) and extratemporal ( N = 44) focal epilepsy were compared. Effects of seizure-related variables were also assessed. Children with focal epilepsy scored significantly lower on tests when compared with the healthy group. Lateralization of the EEG focus was not found to significantly affect verbal memory performance. Only the CLTR component of the Verbal Selective Reminding test was susceptible to lateralization and localization effects. Differences between the group with left and the group with right temporal epilepsy ( P < 0.03) and between the group with temporal and the group with extratemporal epilepsy ( P < 0.01) reached statistical significance.

Discrimination of Normal from Demented Elderly on a Spanish Version of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test

The verbal Selective Reminding Test (vSRT) is a frequently used test for evaluating verbal learning and memory. In the present study we investigated the construct validity of a Spanish version of the vSRT by determining its ability to distinguish between a group of healthy elderly subjects and a group of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Further validation of the test was assessed by comparing the pattern of memory deficits found in the group of patients with DAT with findings from previous neuropsychological research concerning with memory impairments in English-speaking patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Analyses revealed that the test was able to differentiate normal individuals from patients with DAT. In addition the pattern of memory functioning found in the group of patients with DAT was consistent with findings of previous experimental and clinical reports. These results support the construct validity of the Spanish version of the vSRT.

Normative data and reliability for a Spanish version of the verbal Selective Reminding Test

The purpose of this paper was to extend the use of the verbal Selective Reminding Test to the Spanish-speaking population. Since valid and reliable tests, with appropriate norms are essential for an adequate assessment of cognitive functioning, in this study we provide normative data collected from 329 Spanish-speaking individuals for a Spanish version of the test. Age, gender and education effects were analyzed. In addition, the reliability of the test was also investigated. The adequacy of these norms to people from other Spanish-speaking countries is discussed. In addition to the measures typically reported, we have included three new indices.

Cognitive Dysfunction Lateralizes With NAA in Multiple Sclerosis

Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic imaging to evaluate axonal integrity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patient status in MS is frequently assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, which emphasizes ambulation but underestimates the contribution of cognitive factors. Yet, cognitive functions of memory and processing are known to be impaired in MS. We used quantitative MR spectroscopy to determine this relation between cognitive function and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels. We find a significant correlation (r = .63, p < .005) for the left periventricular (PV) NAA concentrations with performance on the verbal Selective Reminding Test. Right PV NAA was significantly (p < .02) correlated with the Tower of Hanoi performance, with r = .58.

Development of Two Spanish versions of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test

The Selective Reminding procedure has become a widely used test for evaluating verbal learning and memory. However, since this test was mainly devised for use in English speaking individuals, disadvantages could appear when translations of the test are applied to Spanish speaking patients. To overcome these difficulties, two Spanish versions of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test were devised and administered to 48 healthy individuals, 19-31 years in age, in two separate sessions. We found that performances on the two forms were comparable, except for one measure. All the variables on both forms yielded significant positive correlations. We also examined test-retest reliability separately for both possible orders, with Order 2 (Form 2 administered first) being more reliable than Order 1 (Form 1 administered first).

Normative Data for a Six-Trial Administration of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test

Normative data for 267 neurologically normal adults (age range 18–91) are provided for a six-trial administration of Form I of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test (VSRT; Hannay & Levin, 1985). Gender corrections were generated by age- and education-matched pair analyses of the VSRT performance of 82 males and 82 females. Normative data are grouped by seven age cohorts: 18–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and 80–91. A regression-based procedure is provided, so that existing delayed recall norms, based on a 12-trial administration, can be utilized, following a 6-trial administration.

Trial-Length Sensitivity of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test to Lateralized Temporal Lobe Impairment

The sensitivity of 6- versus 12-trial versions of the Verbal Selective Reminding Test (VSRT) to the material-specific memory deficits that are often observed in patients with lateralized temporal lobe (TL) impairment was investigated in 84 patients with complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin (left = 45; right = 39). Patients with left-TL impairment tended to perform worse than patients with right-TL impairment on both long-term storage (LTS) and continuous long-term retrieval (CLTR) using either 6- or 12-trial versions. When employed to classify individual patients, comparable classification was obtained using either 6- or 12-trial formats. These results indicate that a shortened 6-trial format may be employed without any significant loss of sensitivity to left-TL impairment.

Verbal memory impairment resulting from hippocampal neuron loss among epileptic patients with structural lesions.

We recently demonstrated statistically significant correlations between presurgical memory impairment and hippocampal volumetric cell densities (in CA3 and the hilar area only) for patients with idiopathic left temporal lobe epilepsy who exhibited marked hippocampal neuron loss. In the present research we determine whether the same relationship exists for patients with structural lesions, in whom hippocampal neuron loss was minimal. Rank-order correlations of verbal memory test results (ie, Long Term Retrieval score of the verbal Selective Reminding Test, Percent Retention index of the Logical Memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale) and hippocampal volumetric cell densities (subfields CA1, CA2, CA3, the hilar area, and the granule layer of area dentata) were computed for 22 patients with structural lesions and medically refractory epilepsy of temporal lobe onset (11 left, 11 right). There were statistically significant correlations between Long Term Retrieval and the volumetric cell density of CA1 (r = 0.62, p < 0.05) and between percent retention and the volumetric cell density of CA2 (r = 0.60, p < 0.05) for patients with left hemisphere lesions. No other correlations were found for patients with left or right temporal lobe lesions.

Construct validity of various verbal and visual memory tests.

Factor analysis was conducted on attention, information processing, verbal and visual memory scores of 112 patients. Factor structure did not vary as a function of age. The Expanded Paired Associates Test, Verbal Selective Reminding Test, Continuous Recognition Memory Test, and Continuous Visual Memory Test defined a general memory factor. The PASAT, WMS Mental Control, and WAIS-R Digit Span defined an attention/information processing factor. Immediate Visual Reproduction (VR) loaded primarily on visual/nonverbal intelligence, whereas delayed VR loaded primarily with the memory factor. The Trail Making Test, Part B was more closely associated with visual/nonverbal intelligence than with attention/information processing. Serial Digit Learning was more closely associated with attention/information processing than with general memory.