AVLT memory scores as a function of age among general medical, neurologic and alcoholic patients.

Analyzed data from the administration of the Rey AVLT to 232 general hospital patients according to age and type of diagnosis and influences of these variables on learning, recall and recognition. Aging has a different effect on these three test scores, depending on the classification of the patient. Non-organically impaired Ss had difficulties with recognition the older they were; Ss with ABS showed learning deficits; in CBS (alcoholic) Ss, aging was associated with poor recall performance, but not significantly. Younger, higher educated and more intelligent Ss have better recognition, whereas better learning is associated with only education as a factor. Analysis of these results was made in the context of storage system theory with further implications.