Automatic Memory Coding Processes in Early Stages of Dementia

The aim of this paper was to verify efficiency of automatic memory coding processes during early stages of dementia. Twenty demented patients were classified as "mild," according to selective clinical and neuropsychological criteria, and their performance was compared with that of 30 age- and education-matched normal subjects on two tasks for automatic coding processes (Spatial Location and Frequency of Occurrence Test), a measure of controlled memory processes (Story Test), and one of logical abstractive abilities (Raven's Progressive Matrices). Statistical analysis showed significant differences between patients and controls on automatic tests, as well as at controlled and intelligence tests. The findings did not support a conceptual framework of selective sparing of automatic processes during early stages of dementia.