The validity of d prime as a working memory index: results from the "Bergen n-back task"

J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2010 Oct;32(8):871-80. doi: 10.1080/13803391003596421. Epub 2010 Apr 9.

Abstract

The n-back task is frequently used as an experimental paradigm in imaging studies of working memory. This study aimed to investigate whether the Bergen 2-back task is suitable for use in desktop assessment of patients with schizophrenia. Looking at the psychometric properties of the task, including the newly added measure of discriminability, d prime (d '), our analyses confirmed that the 2-back d ' is the preferred measure of working memory dysfunction in desktop assessment compared to the Digit Span Backward and the Letter-Number Sequencing subtests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III). d ' has the advantage of capturing executive skills needed to perform mental operations in patients with schizophrenia, without being influenced by demographic variables or IQ.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Schizophrenia / complications*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Young Adult