Changes in Test Scores and Cortical Activation during the Miyake Memory Test

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the cortical blood flow response during the Miyake paired verbal association learning test (Miyake memory test), we measured blood flow using a near-infrared spectroscope. [Subjects] The subjects were 8 healthy male volunteers: average age, 23.6±3.9 years. [Method] Using a near-infrared spectroscope, we measured the blood flow responses in the prefrontal area during the Miyake memory test. Under the two conditions of related and unrelated pairs of words, we assessed the changes in cortical activation and scores in tasks repeated 3 times. [Results] In the comparison of the score for the third task with that for the first task, we found an increase in the number of correct answers for both related and unrelated pairs of words, and a significant decrease in the oxygenated haemoglobin value. [Conclusion] The results suggest that even in verbal memory tasks, the increase in correct answers arising from frequent repetition of an identical task leads to a reduction in cortical blood flow volume.