amnesia, alzheimer, dementia 

The Visual Association Test has been developed to detect anterograde amnesia. Patients with Alzheimer's disease can be distinguished from patients with other forms of dementia and without amnesia. 

The VAT is based on the visual association method, a classic memory aid. This technique involves associating the information to be remembered with a cue, thereby designing an image of two interacting objects. This method leads to improved recall, although the effect is not very pronounced in patients with anterograde amnesia.

The VAT consists of six versions: Version A, B, C, D (6 tasks each), and two long versions (12 tasks each). Version B, C, and D can be administered as a parallel test of version A. The test consists of 4 x 12 pictures: 6 association cards and 6 clue cards. The clue cards show only one object. The association cards each show a combination of the clue and another object (target object). In version A, B, C and D you first show the clue cards and then the association cards. Then you show the clue cards again. If the patient can name the target object correctly, he scores points for this.