Differential memory impairment in individuals exhibiting Korsakoff's syndrome

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Terry McCray Sawyer (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
David Soderquist

Abstract: In the progress of Korsakoff's syndrome two distinctive states are apparent: (a) disordered sense perception and (b) impairment of retentive memory. This study focused on the short term memory dysfunction noted in Korsakoff's syndrome. The subjects were 96 adult volunteers who ranged in age from 19 to 69 years. All scored within ± 1 standard deviation from the mean in intellectual functioning on the Maxwell Short Form of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Approximately 65% of the subjects were male. The subjects were partitioned into six major groups, 16 subjects per group. Sixteen of the subjects participated as a control group, and the remaining 80 subjects formed the Korsakoff groups. These 80 subjects were subdivided into five groups who had achieved either a one week, two, three, four, or a six to sixteen week period of abstinence from alcohol. All Korsakoff subjects scored within the brain damaged range of functioning as measured by the Reltan Trail Making Test. The normal control subjects scored within the average range. A free recall task was used to elucidate areas of short term memory impairment in the Korsakoff individuals in contrast with the performances of the control subjects.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 1977
Subjects
Korsakoff's syndrome
Memory disorders

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