Abstract
Objective: Pattern separation (PS) is the ability to represent similar experiences as separate, non-overlapping representations. It is usually assessed via the Mnemonic Similarity Task - Object Version (MST-O) which, however, assesses PS performance without taking behavioral context discrimination into account, since it is based on pictures of everyday simple objects on a white background. We here present a validation study for a new task, the Mnemonic Similarity Task - Context Version (MST-C), which is designed to measure PS while taking behavioral context discrimination into account by using real-life context photographs. Methods: Fifty healthy subjects underwent the two MST tasks to assess convergent evidence. Instruments assessing memory and attention were also administered to study discriminant evidence. The test-retest reliability of MST-C was analyzed. Results: Weak evidence supports convergent validity between the MST-C task and the MST-O as measures of PS (r(s) = 0.464; p < 0.01); PS performance assessed via the MST-C did not correlate with memory or attention; a moderate test-retest reliability was found (r(s) = 0.595; p < 0.01). Conclusion: The MST-C seems useful for assessing PS performance conceptualized as the ability to discriminate complex and realistic spatial contexts. Future studies are welcome to evaluate the validity of the MST-C task as a measure of PS in clinical populations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 432-440 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- Pattern separation
- context discrimination
- mnemonic similarity task
- Mnemonic Similarity Task - Object Version
- Behavioral Pattern Separation Task
- MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
- MINI-MENTAL-STATE
- INTERNATIONAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC INTERVIEW
- MEDIAL TEMPORAL-LOBE
- PATTERN SEPARATION PERFORMANCE
- ADULT HIPPOCAMPAL NEUROGENESIS
- HIGH-RESOLUTION FMRI
- ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT
- AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORY
- WORKING-MEMORY
- RELIABILITY
- MONTREAL COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT
- DEFICITS