Sex differences on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised in the elderly: Normative data in 172 participants

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) are frequently used in assessing dementia. Though sex differences in verbal learning and memory have been reported, normative data for the elderly often do not separate males and females. No studies provide normative data for both the RAVLT and the BVMT-R in the same elderly sample. Finally, normative data for those over age 79 are unavailable for the BVMT-R. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate sex differences on these two tests, provide normative data in 172 healthy volunteers between the ages of 60 and 89 (inclusive), and extend the age range of BVMT-R normative data. Females consistently outperformed males. However, only performance on the RAVLT warranted separation of normative data by sex. Age and sex differences as well as usage of these normative data in a clinical setting are discussed.