NIH toolbox cognition battery (CB): Measuring episodic memory

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Patricia Bauer, Emory University; Sureyya S. Dikmen, Emory University; Robert K. Heaton, Emory University; Dan Mungas, Emory University; Jerry Slotkin, Emory University; Jennifer L. Beaumont, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-08-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 The Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mono.12033
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development
• ISSN: 0037-976X
• Volume: 78
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 34
• End Page: 48
• Keywords: Brain; National Institutes of Health (U.S.); Adult; Child; Memory, Episodic; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Child, Preschool; Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Humans; United States; Adolescent; Age Factors; Aged, 80 and over
• Research Categories: Psychology, Cognitive; Psychology, Developmental; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

One of the most significant domains of cognition is episodic memory, which allows for rapid acquisition and long-term storage of new information. For purposes of the NIH Toolbox, we devised a new test of episodic memory. The nonverbal NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence Memory Test (TPSMT) requires participants to reproduce the order of an arbitrarily ordered sequence of pictures presented on a computer. To adjust for ability, sequence length varies from 6 to 15 pictures. Multiple trials are administered to increase reliability. Pediatric data from the validation study revealed the TPSMT to be sensitive to age-related changes. The task also has high test-retest reliability and promising construct validity. Steps to further increase the sensitivity of the instrument to individual and age-related variability are described.