Development of VM-REACT: Verbal memory RecAll computerized test

摘要

When tracking the progression of neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative diseases, assessment tools that enable repeated measures of cognition and require little examiner burden are increasingly important to develop. In the current study, we describe the development of the VM-REACT (Verbal Memory REcAll Computerized Test) which assesses verbal memory recall abilities using a computerized, automated version. Four different lis versions of the test were applied on a cohort of 798 healthy adults (ages 20-80). Recall and learning scores were computed and compared to existing gender- and age-matched published norms for a similar paper-and-penci test. Performance was similar to existing age-matched norms for all but the two oldest age groups. These adult (ages 60-80) outperformed their age-matched norms. Processing speed, initiation speed, and number of recal errors are also reported for each age group. Our findings suggest that VM-REACT can be utilized to study verba memory abilities in a standardized and time efficient manner, and thus holds great promise for assessment in the 21st century.