Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised Indices Research Articles

Comparison of normal controls and recently detoxified alcoholics on the wechsler memory scale-revised

Abstract We examined the validity of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) by contrasting scores of recently detoxified chronic alcoholics with age, sex, and education-matched controls. Associations between alcoholics' test scores and age, education, self-reported memory complaints, observed memory status, and alcohol consumption variables were also assessed. Alcoholics performed significantly more poorly than controls on all five WMS-R index scores and on five of 12 subtest scores. Differences between the groups were in terms of level of performance, not pattern of performance. Age was more highly associated with WMS-R scores for controls than for alcoholics. Observed memory status was associated with WMS-R scores, age, education, and years of drinking; self-ratings of memory functions were not. Finally, alcohol consumption variables and WMS-R scores were only weakly associated.