Independence of recognition memory and priming effects: A neuropsychological analysis

In order to examine the relation between recognition memory and priming effects, we have tracked the recovery of recognition memory and word completion ability during the hours after individual treatment given as part of a prescribed course of electroconvulsiv ¢ therapy (ECT). Recognition memory was tested by a three-alternative, forced-choice method. In the word completion test, the initial letters of previously presented words were given as cues, and subjects were asked to complete ach cue to form the first word that came to mind. Patients receiving bilateral ECT markedly improved their recognition memory performance 45 min to 9 hr after treatment. Word completion performance was normal at 45 min after treatment and did not change thereafter. Despite xhibiting normal priming effects, patients prescribed bilateral ECT scored at chance levels on recognition tests given 45 min after treatment. These findings upport the view that recognition memory and priming are independent memory processes, and they suggest hat the processes that support priming make little if any contribution to recognition memory. The results are considered in terms of neuropsychological evidence from amnesic patients for the existence of multiple memory systems. The study of human amnesia can provide useful information about the organization of normal memory functions (for reviews, se