Associative and Implicit Memory Performance as a Function of Cognitive Reserve in Elderly Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment. (18th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Algarabel, Salvador; Sales, Alicia; Pitarque, Alfonso; Meléndez, Juan C.; Escudero, Joaquín; Mayordomo, Teresa
• Is Part Of: Spanish journal of psychology. Volume 19(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-02-18
• Subjects: cognitive reserve, -- mild cognitive impairment, -- associative recognition, -- explicit memory, -- implicit memory; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1017/sjp.2016.10
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1138-7416

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims to analyze implicit and explicit memory performance as a function of cognitive reserve (CR) in a healthy control group ( N = 39) and a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group ( N = 37). Both groups were subdivided into high and low cognitive reserve, and were asked to complete an explicit and implicit associative recognition tasks. The results showed that the control group was able to learn both tasks (η 2 = .19, p < .0001), and the high CR group fared better (η 2 = .06, p < .05). The MCI sample, conversely, was unable to learn the implicit relationship, and showed very little learning on the explicit association task. Participants diagnosed with MCI showed little plasticity in learning associations regardless of CR (η 2 = .12, p < .01).