title: On the nature of nonverbal working memory fractionation: a case of selective spatial short-term memory deficit in a child.
abstract: Several lines of research on adult subjects demonstrate a visual/spatial fractionation of nonverbal working memory (WM), while behavioral studies on normal children support the idea of a static/dynamic distinction. In the present paper, we report a child (Z.M.) who failed on nonverbal WM tasks. To verify the nature of his defect, we carried out two experiments: in Experiment 1, Z.M. failed on spatial WM tasks but not on visual WM tasks and was not affected by the static/dynamic format of stimulus presentation; in Experiment 2, this visual/spatial dissociation was extended to the imagery domain. These results are best accounted for within the visual/spatial fractionation of WM and confirmed the role of WM in mental imagery. Clinical and rehabilitative implications of the present findings are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Casa di cura "Stazione Climatica Bianchi", Portici, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lepore
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Celentano
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conson
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grossi