Is the N-Back Task a Valid Neuropsychological Measure for Assessing Working Memory?
AUTOR(ES)
Miller, K.M.
FONTE
Oxford University Press
RESUMO
The n-back is a putative working memory task frequently used in neuroimaging research; however, literature addressing n-back use in clinical neuropsychological evaluation is sparse. We examined convergent validity of the n-back with an established measure of working memory, digit span backward. The relationship between n-back performance and scores on measures of processing speed was also examined, as was the ability of the n-back to detect potential between-groups differences in control and Parkinson's disease (PD) groups. Results revealed no correlation between n-back performance and digit span backward. N-back accuracy significantly correlated with a measure of processing speed (Trail Making Test Part A) at the 2-back load. Relative to controls, PD patients performed less accurately on the n-back and showed a trend toward slower reaction times, but did not differ on any of the neuropsychological measures. Results suggest the n-back is not a pure measure of working memory, but may be able to detect subtle differences in cognitive functioning between PD patients and controls.
ACESSO AO ARTIGO
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2770861Documentos Relacionados
- Teste N-Back auditivo em indivíduos normais
- Tarefa N-back auditiva: desempenho entre diferentes grupos etários
- The visual paired-comparison task as a measure of declarative memory
- The deferred imitation task as a nonverbal measure of declarative memory.
- A role for the β-amyloid precursor protein in memory?