Factor analysis of three standardized tests of memory in a clinical population

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the factor structure of three standardized memory tests: Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), War rington Recognition Memory Test WRMT), Doors and People Test (D&P). We inve stigated whether these different standardized tests of memory are consisten t in their evaluation of memory function, and the extent to which these tes ts discriminate between different memory functions (e.g. recall/recognition and verbal/non-verbal memory). Design. Fifty patients with selective memory impairment were tested on the WMS-R, WRMT and D&P. Methods. Age-scaled scores from selective measures of these tests (WMS-R-ve rbal, WMS-R-visual, WMS-R-delay, WRMT-words, WRMT-faces, D&P-people, D&P-do ors, D&P-shapes, Dg(P-names) were used as input to a factor analysis. Results. Maximum likelihood factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution consistent with a theoretically motivated fractionation of memory function into recall and recognition components. Recognition performance, but not r ecall performance, showed dissociation into visual and verbal components. Conclusions. The WMS-R, WRMT and D&P are highly consistent in their assessm ent of memory function. The results of the factor analysis are consistent w ith a theoretically motivated fractionation of recall and recognition memor y. They are also partially consistent with a dissociation between visual an d verbal memory function.