Episodic memory retrieval in adolescents with and without developmental language disorder (DLD)

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Linguistics

Background:

• Declarative memory findings in developmental language disorder (DLD) are inconsistent in literature.
• Standardized tests may lack sensitivity for subtle memory impairments.
• Declarative memory complexity necessitates examining specific encoding and retrieval processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate episodic memory functioning in adolescents with and without DLD.
• To focus on item-specific and relational information recognition.
• To utilize an experimental paradigm for detailed memory assessment.

Main Methods:

• Two groups of adolescents (with and without DLD) participated.
• The Relational and Item-Specific Encoding (RISE) paradigm was employed.
• RISE assessed item-specific and relational encoding/retrieval within one paradigm.

Main Results:

• Adolescents with DLD demonstrated significantly poorer item recognition compared to controls.
• No significant difference in associative recognition was found, though a trend suggested impairment.
• Encoding phase engagement was comparable between groups.

Conclusions:

• Adolescents with DLD experience difficulties in episodic memory retrieval without contextual support.
• Item recognition is more impaired than associative recognition in DLD.
• Findings highlight specific episodic memory deficits in DLD.