Construct and concurrent validity of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised

The present investigation examined the validity of the revised Hopkins Verb al Learning Test (HVLT-R). In a principal components analysis with varimax rotation, measures of new learning and delayed recall loaded on a single fa ctor distinguishable from measures related to general cognitive function an d visual memory. The HVLT-R also correlated most strongly with other tests of verbal memory and relatively weakly with a test of general intelligence. Group comparisons showed that normal controls performed better than age- a nd education-matched patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vas cular dementia (VaD). Discriminant function analyses and Bayesian statistic s revealed high classification accuracies for dementia patients versus cont rols. When scores on the HVLT-R and other neuropsychological tests were sub jected to discriminant function analyses, performance on the HVLT-R delayed recognition task was found to be the most useful in discriminating patient s with AD from those with VaD. We conclude that the HVLT-R is a valid test of verbal learning and memory that is best suited for use with elderly pati ents suspected of dementia.