THE DIFFERENTIAL PATTERN OF MEMORY DEFICIT IN NORMAL AGING AND DEMENTIAS OF DIFFERENT ETIOLOGY

The study explored encoding, storage, and retrieval components of memo ry functioning in four groups of subjects: (1) normal elderly; (2) eld erly subjects in the early prestages of DAT; (3) elderly subjects with a more advanced DAT; (4) younger subjects in the early prestages of A IDS dementia. Each group consisted of 26 subjects, who were administer ed the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test. The results suggest impaired encoding and retrieval in the DAT groups. The AIDS group demonstrated deficient storage and retrieval. Their pattern of memory deficits was similar to that seen in normal aging. The results speak in favor of t he hypothesis of subcortical nature of neurological changes in normal aging.