Rey auditory verbal learning test

A good measure of recent verbal memory & new learning in elderly subjects. It is similar to California verbal learning test & the Buschke-Fuld selective reminding test. The test provides 15 words which are repeatedly rehearsed by the subject until they are memorized (or until a plateau is reached). The subject then attends to an interference task or verbal list. Subsequently, after a delay, the subject is asked to recall the words. When spontaneous recall is impaired, the examiner tests recognition by cueing the subject, or having the subject identify the words from a short list or in a short paragraph. This strategy allows for the evaluation of various aspects of memory including: learning curve, sensitivity to interference, amount of new learning, recognition & retrieval. In general, young adults miss only 1 or 2 words. Subjects over 70 years of age typically learn about 80% after rehearsal & retain about 70% of the learned words on delayed recall.

References

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, Osterweil et al eds, McGraw Hill, New York, 2000, pg 103-104