A nine-word dementia version of the California verbal learning test

The validity of an experimental 9-word version of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) was investigated. The construct validity of the 9-word CVLT was assessed with a principal component analysis (PCA) on a sample of nondemented subjects. A three - factor solution, related to immediate free recall, delayed recall and recognition, and intrusion errors was produced. Construct validity was also assessed by comparing subjects with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD), probable ischemic vascular dementia (IVD), and a normal control (NC) group. AD subjects evidenced little learning on immediate free recall test conditions, made no improvement on cued recall or recognition test conditions, and produced copious amounts of intrusion errors. IVD subjects performed similarly to AD subjects on immediate free recall test conditions, but improved on all cued recall and recognition test conditions, and made significantly fewer intrusion errors. The NC group was vastly superior to both groups of demented subjects on all CVLT indices. These results indicate that the 9-word CVLT has good psychometric properties, and that it may be a reasonable alternative to the standard 16-word CVLT among subjects who are obviously impaired.