Cluster subtypes of the Spanish version of the California Verbal Learning Test in a sample of adults with subjective memory complaints

Abstract

We examined subtypes of learning and memory by administering the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to a sample of adults with memory complaints that included a subsample of healthy controls and another of participants with amnesic mild cognitive impairment. We performed two-stage cluster analyses for CVLT variables representing three main factors—General Verbal Learning, Inaccurate Memory, and Serial Effect. Four, three, and two reliable subtypes were differentiated in the total sample and in the two subsamples, respectively. Gender, age, education, reading habits, vocabulary, memory complaints, and general cognitive performance were meaningfully related to variability in the performance of the subtypes.

Keywords:

• Episodic memory
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Semantic strategies
• Serial position effect
• Cognitive reserve

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Spanish Directorate General for Science and Technology [project number SEJ2007-67964-CO2-01], [project number PSI2010-22224-C03-01]; the Galician Government: Consellería de Industria e Innovación/Economía e Industria [grant number PGIDIT07PXIB211018PR], [grant number 10PXIB2011070 PR].