The RF model also identified two scores in the VST forward condition as important features to classify those with AUD from controls: (i) memory span, and (ii) total correct score. The AUD participants showed poor performance in terms of lower memory span and less correct trials compared to CTL participants. It has long been established that individuals with AUD manifest neuropsychological impairments in multiple domains, such as deficits in executive functioning, memory, and visuospatial processing [3,53,54,55,56,117]. It is also known that while the recovery of some cognitive processes are known to occur, certain deficits can persist even after prolonged abstinence [8]. In our sample of abstinent AUD individuals, the observed visuospatial memory deficits despite the abstinent status, suggests that residual cognitive deficits can potentially impair neural processes needed to encode and maintain stimulus sequences, such as rehearsal. These impairments may also interfere with higher cognitive processes during task performance or real-life functioning that involve these visual memory processes. In our previous study on the same groups of subjects, we reported that the AUD group had a smaller bilateral hippocampal volume
