Measuring episodic memory across the lifespan: NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence Memory Test

J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2014 Jul;20(6):611-9. doi: 10.1017/S1355617714000460. Epub 2014 Jun 24.

Abstract

Episodic memory is one of the most important cognitive domains that involves acquiring, storing and recalling new information. In this article, we describe a new measure developed for the NIH Toolbox, called the Picture Sequence Memory Test (PSMT) that is the first to examine episodic memory across the age range from 3 to 85. We describe the development of the measure and present validation data for ages 20 to 85. The PSMT involves presentation of sequences of pictured objects and activities in a fixed order on a computer screen and simultaneously verbally described, that the participant must remember and then reproduce over three learning trials. The results indicate good test-retest reliability and construct validity. Performance is strongly related to well-established "gold standard" measures of episodic memory and, as expected, much less well correlated with those of a measure of vocabulary. It shows clear decline with aging in parallel with a gold standard summary measure and relates to several other demographic factors and to self-reported general health status. The PSMT appears to be a reliable and valid test of episodic memory for adults, a finding similar to those found for the same measure with children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Episodic*
  • Middle Aged
  • National Institutes of Health (U.S.)*
  • Neuropsychological Tests / standards*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Statistics as Topic
  • United States
  • Verbal Learning
  • Young Adult