The stability of memory performance using an adapted version of the Delayed Matching To Sample task: an ERP study

Abstract

This study examined the stability of performance using an adapted version of the Delayed Matching to Sample memory test (DMTS). With this test the stability of visual working memory can be measured. In the DMTS participants have to memorize a cue for a certain delay, after which a probe is presented. This is an often used test, but it is not yet clear if the performance of this test is also stable over time. In present paradigm stability was assessed mixing short (10-20s) and long delays (140-200s) and presenting cues during the cue-probe interval. Additionally, EEG was measured during testing. For the memory-related components, the P300 and P600, amplitude and latency were compared between sessions and the same was done for accuracy and mean reaction time of behavioral data. Faster reaction times for long delay stimuli were found in Session 2. No effects in accuracy were found. Longer P600 latencies were found for long delay stimuli in the first session as compared to the second. High correlations between sessions were found for almost all other measures. These high correlations suggest that test-retest scores were stable. Therefore, we conclude that the new DMTS paradigm has high stability.