Implicit and explicit memory: a functional dissociation in persons with Down syndrome
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Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2016
S Vicari1, S Bellucci, G A Carlesimo
1IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi 36, Rome, Italy. vicari@opbg.net
Abstract:
This study aimed at investigating implicit and explicit long-term memory functioning in subjects with Down syndrome (DS) compared to Mental-Age (MA) matched normal children. For this purpose, tests of verbal and visuo-perceptual explicit memory, verbal and visual repetition priming and procedural learning tasks were administered to 14 DS and 20 MA subjects. Our results document comparable implicit memory abilities in the two groups. In contrast, regarding explicit memory, normal children performed better than DS individuals. These results reveal a functional dissociation between implicit and explicit memory in subjects with DS. Theoretical and rehabilitative implications are discussed.
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