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. 2018 Oct-Dec;40(4):432-440.
doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2017-2379. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Validation of the Mnemonic Similarity Task - Context Version

Giulia A Aldi  1 , Iris Lange  2 , Cristiana Gigli  1 , Lies Goossens  2 , Koen R Schruers  2 , Fiammetta Cosci  1
Affiliations

Validation of the Mnemonic Similarity Task - Context Version

Giulia A Aldi et al. Braz J Psychiatry. 2018 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Objective: Pattern separation (PS) is the ability to represent similar experiences as separate, non-overlapping representations. It is usually assessed via the Mnemonic Similarity Task - Object Version (MST-O) which, however, assesses PS performance without taking behavioral context discrimination into account, since it is based on pictures of everyday simple objects on a white background. We here present a validation study for a new task, the Mnemonic Similarity Task - Context Version (MST-C), which is designed to measure PS while taking behavioral context discrimination into account by using real-life context photographs.

Methods: Fifty healthy subjects underwent the two MST tasks to assess convergent evidence. Instruments assessing memory and attention were also administered to study discriminant evidence. The test-retest reliability of MST-C was analyzed.

Results: Weak evidence supports convergent validity between the MST-C task and the MST-O as measures of PS (rs = 0.464; p < 0.01); PS performance assessed via the MST-C did not correlate with memory or attention; a moderate test-retest reliability was found (rs = 0.595; p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The MST-C seems useful for assessing PS performance conceptualized as the ability to discriminate complex and realistic spatial contexts. Future studies are welcome to evaluate the validity of the MST-C task as a measure of PS in clinical populations.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Example of similar items of the Mnemonic Similarity Task – Context Version (MST-C)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Mnemonic Similarity Task – Context Version (MST-C)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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