[Validation of the University of Southern California Repeatable Episodic Memory test].

BACKGROUND

Memory is affected differently with the passage of time; specifically, episodic memory presents a clear decline. There is a relationship of this memory impairment and degenerative and psychiatric diseases.

AIM

To determine the reliability and validity of the University of Southern California Repeatable Episodic Memory Test (USC-REMT) in a sample of Chilean adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The instrument was administered to 178 subjects living in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago. The sessions were individual, during the morning, lasting approximately 15 minutes.

RESULTS

The ANOVA indicates that subjects over 61 years old had lower scores in the test than their younger counterparts. There was an inverse correlation between age and success in "Free recall" (r =- 0.570), "Recognition indicating yes-no" (r = -0.412) and "forced-choice recognition" (r =- 0.371). Regression analysis showed that age explained 32.1 % "free recall" variance. The three components were grouped into a single factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The USC-REMT meets the criteria for validity and reliability to be applied for clinical and research purposes.