title: Detecting Memory Impairment in Deaf People: A New Test of Verbal Learning and Memory in British Sign Language.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most existing tests of memory and verbal learning in adults were created for spoken languages, and are unsuitable for assessing deaf people who rely on signed languages. In response to this need for sign language measures, the British Sign Language Verbal Learning and Memory Test (BSL-VLMT) was developed. It follows the format of the English language Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised, using standardized video-presentation with novel stimuli and instructions wholly in British Sign Language, and no English language requirement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 223 cognitively healthy deaf signers aged 50-89 and 12 deaf patients diagnosed with dementia. Normative data percentiles were derived for clinical use, and receiver-operating characteristic curves computed to explore the clinical potential and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The test showed good discrimination between the normative and clinical samples, providing preliminary evidence of clinical utility for identifying learning and memory impairment in older deaf signers with neurodegeneration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This innovative video testing approach transforms the ability to accurately detect memory impairments in deaf people and avoids the problems of using interpreters, with international potential for adapting similar tests into other signed languages.
authors.affiliation: Deafness, Language and Cognition Centre, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Denmark
authors.affiliation: City University, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Cath
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mummery
authors.affiliation: City University, London, UK.
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Deafness, Language and Cognition Centre, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Bencie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woll
authors.affiliation: Deafness, Language and Cognition Centre, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Atkinson
keywords: Dementia; Disability/handicaps; Learning and Memory; Mild cognitive impairment; Norms/normative studies; Test construction