Although visuospatial function might in part be evaluated with a subtest in the MMSE, namely copying the intersecting pentagons, its score results in only 1 point of the 30-point scale associated with the MMSE. In addition, typical simple neuropsychological tests, e.g., Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) 8, do not focus on symptoms of this condition rather, their goal is mainly to assess orientation, calculation, repetition, and memory functions. This condition is under-recognized and underdiagnosed 1, 2, 3 because a diagnosis of posterior cortical atrophy is sometimes challenging among assessments of neurodegenerative conditions 3, in particular, of the mild form and can be delayed not only because of the rarity of this condition but also because, aside from visuospatial dysfunction, patients with mild posterior cortical atrophy function almost normally with respect to memory, language, and behavior and maintain a relatively preserved motivation and insight 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Posterior cortical atrophy is a rare degenerative condition which commonly occurs between ages 50 and 65 and is characterized mainly by visuospatial dysfunction 1, 2. The tapping span test is a simple and potentially useful diagnostic tool for patients with mild posterior cortical atrophy, as it reflects visuospatial working memory function. The results from the tapping span tests were strongly correlated with those from the visuospatial working memory tests. The results of the tapping span and visuospatial working memory tests were worse for the posterior cortical atrophy group when compared with the control group. The participants were subjected to the tapping span test and several visuospatial working memory tests. Age- and severity-matched individuals with amnesic Alzheimer’s disease (n = 9) were also recruited as a control group. Eight patients with mild posterior cortical atrophy were recruited. In this study, we examined whether the tapping span test is a potential diagnostic tool for posterior cortical atrophy and what impairment the tapping span test is indicative of in this condition. A diagnosis of mild posterior cortical atrophy sometimes challenging and can be delayed because there are currently no established neuropsychological examination methods that can easily be used in clinical settings. For example, age could also affect short-term memory and Jacobs (1887) research acknowledged that short-term memory gradually improved with age.Posterior cortical atrophy is a rare degenerative condition with prominent visuospatial dysfunction which commonly occurs between ages 50 and 65. Consequently, further research is required to determine the each size of information ‘chunks’ to understand the exact capacity of short-term memory.įinally, Miller’s (1956) research into short-term memory did not take into account other factors that affect capacity. Jacobs found that the student had an average span of 7.3 letters and 9.3 words, which supports Miller’s notion of 7+/-2.Īlthough Miller’s (1956) theory is supported by psychological research, he did not specify how large each ‘chunk’ of information could be and therefore we are unable to conclude the exact capacity of short-term memory. Participants had to repeat back a string of numbers or letters in the same order and the number of digits/letters was gradually increased, until the participants could no longer recall the sequence. Jacobs used a sample of 443 female students (aged from 8-19) from the North London Collegiate School. For example, Jacobs (1887) conducted an experiment using a digit span test, to examine the capacity of short-term memory for numbers and letters. Miller’s (1956) theory is supported by psychological research. When we try to remember a phone number, which has 11 digits, we chunk the information into groups, for example: 0767…819…45…34, so we only need to remember four chunks of information and not 11 individual digits. This can explain why we are able recall items like mobile phone numbers, which contain more than 7 digits. Miller believed that our short-term memory stores ‘chunks’ of information rather than individual numbers or letters. He said that we can hold seven 'items' in short-term memory, plus or minus two. Miller (1956) published a famous article entitled ‘ The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two’ in which he reviewed existing research into short-term memory.
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