Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents
Published on: July 8, 2015
Verbal Learning Impairment in Parkinson's Disease: Role of the Frontostriatal System in Working and Strategic Memory
Alessandro Cocuzza1,2, Teresa Difonzo2, Edoardo Nicolò Aiello3
1Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Introduction:
Learning is a long-term memory process, influenced by working memory control processes, including recognition of semantic properties of items by which subjects generate a semantic structure of engrams. The aim of the study was to investigate the verbal learning strategies of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).
Methods:
Thirty individuals with idiopathic PD and healthy control (HC) subjects were tested with a multi-trial word list learning, under two conditions: without cue and then with an explicit cue suggesting the categories in the list, respectively.
Results:
In comparison to HC subjects, individuals with PD recalled fewer words and achieved a reduced number of categorical clusters; the strategical cue did not improve their performance.
Conclusion:
This suggests, besides a difficulty in identifying the correct learning strategy, a deficit in working memory, which undermines the strategy implementation.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Role of Hippocampus in Memory
Working Memory
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

