Validation of the Mnemonic Similarity Task: Context Version

Giulia A. Aldi, Iris Lange, Cristiana Gigli, Lies Goossens, Koen R. Schruers, Fiammetta Cosci*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)432-440
Number of pages9
JournalRevista Brasileira de Psiquiatria
Volume40
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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

Cite this