Amnesia

Question 1

What is amnesia?

Answer 1

1. Condition characterised by memory loss, particularly after brain trauma.
2. Two types: retrograde and anterograde.

Question 2

What is retrograde amnesia? How does it affect people?

Answer 2

Amnesia affecting RECALL of memories prior to a brain injury.

• Can be specific to one memory
• Can be limited to a specific time frame
• In severe cases, can forget who they are and where they come from
• Possibility of regaining some or all of their lost memory

Question 3

What is anterograde amnesia? How does it affect people?

Answer 3

Amnesia causing inability to store new, long-term memories following a brain injury.

• STM is intact - can process sensory info
• Can’t create new memories lasting longer than a few minutes.
• Unable to transfer info from STM to LTM
• Typically retain long-term memories formed before the incident that caused the injury.