Relationship between verbal memory and language performance after blunt head injury

Abstract

The relationship between verbal memory and language functions after head injury was investigated using the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and selected subtests of the Multilingual Aphasia Examination (MAE). Multiple stepwise regression analyses indicated that visual object naming showed the strongest relationship to various verbal memory indices, accounting for significant variance in (1) correct responses for learning trials, (2) intrusion errors during learning trials, (3) intrusion errors after the short delay, (4) percent of original learning recalled during cued recall after the long delay, (5) intrusion errors after the long delay, and (6) false positive recognition errors on the recognition trial. Auditory-verbal comprehension (Token Test) also accounts for significant variance in correct responses during learning trials. Indexing delayed recall performance to original learning provides a measure that is not influenced by language functions. Although initial injury severity (i.e. posttraumatic amnesia length) is related to CVLT indices, this variable does not explain all the common variance between CVLT and MAE measures. Implications for assessment and research are discussed.