Material-specific memory in traumatic brain injury: differential effects during acquisition, recall, and retention.
Material-specific memory refers to the ability to learn and recall new episodic information on the basis of the nature of the stimulus material (e.g., verbal vs. nonverbal-visuospatial). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from a sample of patients with traumatic brain injury to compare 3 models of memory functioning: material-specific, material-specific plus general, and general (non-material-specific). The models were examined separately for acquisition, delayed free recall, and retention aspects of memory. Results suggest that, at least in a population with traumatic brain injury, the acquisition of new information takes place in a material-specific memory fashion, delayed free recall involves both material-specific and general (non-material-specific) memory components, but retention relies primarily on general (non-material-specific) memory processes.
Vanderploeg
R D
RD
James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of South Florida, and Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program, Tampa 33612, USA. rodney.vanderploeg@med.va.gov
Curtiss
G
G
Schinka
J A
JA
Lanham
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology