Working, declarative and procedural memory in specific language impairment

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2011.06.001
• Publication Date: 2011-06-25T20:01:40Z
• Authors: Jarrad A.G. Lum; Gina Conti-Ramsden; Debra Page; Michael T. Ullman
• Keywords: Procedural memory; Specific Language Impairment

According to the Procedural Deficit Hypothesis (PDH), abnormalities of brain structures underlying procedural memory largely explain language deficits in children with specific impairment (SLI). These are posited result core memory, which turn grammar problems disorder. The also likely lead other, non-procedural functions, such as working that rely at least partly on affected structures. In contrast, declarative is expected remain intact, and should play an important compensatory role for grammar. claims were tested by examining measures working, 51 SLI matched typically-developing (TD) (mean age 10). Working was assessed Memory Test Battery Children, Children’s Scale, a visuo-spatial Serial Reaction Time task. As compared TD children, impaired even when holding constant. they spared visual information, verbal domain after controlling language. Visuo-spatial short-term whereas impaired, held Correlation analyses showed neither nor associated either lexical or grammatical abilities children. Declarative correlated both groups Finally, but SLI. findings replicate extend previous studies Overall, we suggest evidence supports predictions PDH.