Mayo Normative Studies: Regression-Based Normative Data for the Auditory Verbal Learning Test for Ages 30–91 Years and the Importance of Adjusting for Sex

Abstract

Objective: Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) is a widely used word list memory test. We update normative data to include adjustment for verbal memory performance differences between men and women and illustrate the effect of this sex adjustment and the importance of excluding participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from normative samples. Method: This study advances the Mayo’s Older Americans Normative Studies (MOANS) by using a new population-based sample through the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, which randomly samples residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, from age- and sex-stratified groups. Regression-based normative T-score formulas were derived from 4428 cognitively unimpaired adults aged 30–91 years. Fully adjusted T-scores correct for age, sex, and education. We also derived T-scores that correct for (1) age or (2) age and sex. Test-retest reliability data are provided. Results: From raw score analyses, sex explained a significant amount of variance in performance above and beyond age (8–10%). Applying original age-adjusted MOANS norms to the current sample resulted in significantly fewer-than-expected participants with low delayed recall performance, particularly in women. After application of new T-scores adjusted only for age, even in normative data derived from this sample, these age-adjusted T-scores showed scores <40 T occurred more frequently among men and less frequently among women relative to T-scores that also adjusted for sex. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of using normative data that adjust for sex with measures of verbal memory and provide new normative data that allow for this adjustment for the AVLT.

TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 Is Associated with Rate of Memory, Functional and Global Cognitive Decline in the Decade Prior to Death

“…Our study also further suggests that that association is not being driven by tau NFT, A␤, or TDP-43. Our findings of female advantage on verbal memory tasks are consistent with previous reports and might reflect a sex-specific form of cognitive reserve and, therefore, emphasize the need for sex-adjustments for AVLT [43][44][45]. Men, on the other hand, historically outperform women on naming tests with a possible explanation of greater left hemispheric lateralization for language in men compared to women and, therefore, naming advantage [46].…”

A novel computer adaptive word list memory test optimized for remote assessment: Psychometric properties and associations with neurodegenerative biomarkers in older women without dementia

“… 25 Mean performance on traditional in‐person neuropsychological measures were within the average range based on normative scores (Table S1 in supporting information). 26 , 27 …”

Normative data for the Spanish version of the California Verbal Learning Test (TAVEC) from older adults.

“…There is a considerable debate concerning the influence of education on the performance of verbal episodic memory tests and there are some inconsistent findings in the literature. Thus, a significant contribution of this variable has been seen in some studies (Pena-Casanova et al, 2009b;Stricker et al, 2021;Thielen et al, 2019), suggesting some benefits of education on learning capacity (Labos et al, 2008), whereas formal education did not apparently influence this type of memory elsewhere (Ivnik et al, 1997;Kramer et al, 2020;Messinis et al, 2016;Speer et al, 2014). In this regard, it has been suggested that education does not explain more than the level of intelligence could (Strauss et al, 2006).…”

“…Regarding the influence of formal education on the performance of different verbal episodic memory tests, the data from different normative studies are controversial or inconsistent. Some reported a significant influence of education (Pena-Casanova et al, 2009b; Stricker et al, 2021), whereby individuals with a higher educational level perform better, while others found no such effect (Ivnik et al, 1997; Kramer et al, 2020; Messinis et al, 2016).…”