Semantic Memory Impairment and Lateralization in Brain Injured Patients

Objective To evaluate the level of semantic memory of patients with brain injury using localization of semantic memory test, and to compare the difference of semantic memory between patient group and normal control group, and to analyze the relationship between semantic memory impairment and the position of brain injury. Methods25 patients with brain injury (16 with left brain injury, 9 with right brain injury) and 24 normal persons were tested with association judgment test of picture and word version. ResultsThe scores of association judgment test of both picture and word version were lower in left brain injured patients than normal controls (P0.01) or right brain injured (P0.05). The scores of picture correlated with word version (r=0.542,P0.01). The incidence of semantic memory impairment was more in left brain injury than right (P0.01), as well as in the left basal ganglia injury than right (P0.05). ConclusionAssociation judgment test of picture and word version can be used to evaluate the level of semantic memory of patients. Semantic memory impairment is often seen in patients with brain injury. Semantic memory is left hemisphere lateralized.