Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · Apr 28, 2026

Updated Italian norms for the Paired-Associate Learning Test (PALT)

By Zago S, Rasi T, Aiello EN et al.

BACKGROUND: Verbal associative learning is a key component of episodic memory and is frequently impaired in the early phases of neurodegenerative brain disorders. The Paired-Associate Learning Test (PALT) test directly probes this function, and its clinical usefulness critically depends on the availability of contemporary, population-specific normative data. AIMS: To provide updated, regression-based normative data for the Italian PALT. METHODS: Participants (N = 317) were administered the PALT, consisting of eight semantically related and unrelated word pairs presented over three learning trials. Regression-based norms were derived in accordance with the Equivalent Score (ES) method. RESULTS: Age and education significantly predicted PALT scores. Up-to-date demographic adjustments, tolerance limits, and ES threshold were provided. CONCLUSIONS: This work delivers updated, regression-based Italian norms for the PALT to be employed for the assessment of episodic memory in patients with neurodegenerative brain disorders.

doi.org/10.1007/s40520-026-03388-2Open accessPubMed 42045629Biomarkers