Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
Verbal learning on depressive pseudodementia: accentuate impairment of free recall, moderate on learning processes,
Jonas Jardim de Paula1, Débora Marques Miranda, Rodrigo Nicolato
1Laboratory of Neuropsychological Investigations, UFMG, Belo HorizonteMG, Brazil.
Objective:
Depressive pseudodementia (DPD) is a clinical condition characterized by depressive symptoms followed by cognitive and functional impairment characteristics of dementia. Memory complaints are one of the most related cognitive symptoms in DPD. The present study aims to assess the verbal learning profile of elderly patients with DPD.
Methods:
Ninety-six older adults (34 DPD and 62 controls) were assessed by neuropsychological tests including the Rey auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT). A multivariate general linear model was used to assess group differences and controlled for demographic factors.
Results:
Moderate or large effects were found on all RAVLT components, except for short-term and recognition memory.
Conclusion:
DPD impairs verbal memory, with large effect size on free recall and moderate effect size on the learning. Short-term storage and recognition memory are useful in clinical contexts when the differential diagnosis is required.
Related Concept Videos
Dementia l: Introduction
Long-term Depression
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
Long-term Depression
Interference and Decay
Interference occurs when competing memories hinder the retrieval of particular information. It can be classified into two types: proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive...
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

