Testing Memory

Subjects in the memory studies were assessed with some of the following activities:

• Read a list of words. Immediately list all the words you can remember from the list. Then, 10 minutes later, again list as many words as you can remember.

• Listen to a brief story. Immediately say as many things as you remember about the story. Then, 15 minutes later, again say as many things as you remember.

• Name all the objects in a certain category that you can think of within one minute (such as foods or animals).

• Name objects seen in a line drawing.

• Name all the words you can think of within one minute that begin with a specific letter.

• Listen to a series of numbers. Repeat the numbers in the order presented. Then repeat the numbers in reverse order.

• Study a picture for a few seconds and then draw it from memory.

• Put your hand in a black bag with a number of objects in it. Pick up each object individually and try to name it without looking at it. Remove it from the bag and say the name of the object. After a brief delay, try to recall all the items in the bag.

• Connect a series of dots as quickly as possible following the pattern explained by the examiner.

• Match numbers with symbols as quickly as possible.

SOURCE: Brenda L. Plassman, Duke University Medical Center