2.3.2. Cognitive Task

All cognitive tasks, except that of digits, were processed using the computer program E-Prime® version 2.0 (Psychology Software Tools, Pittsburgh, PA, USA).

#### Memory Tasks: Working Memory

Digit Task

The Digit Span Task is a subtest belonging to the Wechsler Scale of Intelligence for Adults—WAIS [37], which measures the verbal component of working memory. It consists of two parts: digits in direct order and digits in reverse order. In both, the experimenter reads aloud a series of numbers (specifically, 7 pairs of sequences consisting of between 1 and 9 numbers that are incrementally increased) that the participant must repeat in the same order (direct condition) or in reverse order (reverse condition). The test ends when both attempts at a certain level fail.

Corsi Task

This task evaluates the spatial component of working memory. The task consists of two blocks: direct and inverse condition, respectively. Each trial begins with the appearance of a pattern of nine white squares on a gray background. These are colored red in a rapid sequence of two, three... up to nine squares in the direct condition, and eight in the reverse. After the sequence, the nine-square pattern appears again, and the participant must touch the squares that have changed color with the mouse in the same order (direct condition) in which this happened or in reverse order (reverse condition). Span (or capacity) memory was calculated based on the longest sequence that each participant recalled correctly, directly and inversely, in at least one of the two sequences. Reaction Times (RTs) of the sequences correctly reproduced in forward and reverse order were also calculated.
