The Role of Semantic Memory in Reducing Learning Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients



Moghadasi AN¹ ; Ghadiri F¹ ; Nourishirazi S² ; Sadeghi M² Show Affiliations
Source: Clinical Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses Published:2022

Abstract

There is evidence of episodic memory as one of the mostly reported complaints among Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with impaired cognition, while their semantic memory remains relatively intact. In this regard, the present study aimed to highlight the benefits of interaction between semantic memory and episodic memory to reduce episodic verbal memory deficit in MS patients. Fifteen Relapsing-Remitting MS patients attended six sessions of verbal learning containing item-specific and relational information. The average of correct free recalls of item-specific and relational information was analyzed by paired sample t-test, and the result showed superiority of recalling relational information (P<0.05). It is concluded that semantic memory compensates episodic memory deficit in verbal learning, and semantic learning is an effective strategy for MS patients with episodic verbal memory impairment. © 2022 Moghadasi AN, et al.