Abstract Amnesia is the loss of the faculty of memory and one of the common forms of brain disorder. This paper explains that it is caused by any organic causes, like infections, psychological trauma, or physical injuries to the brain. Amnesia can either be associated with loss of recollection of the past or of the events that immediately follow the accident. The paper explains that, in the former case, it is called 'retrograde amnesia', while the later condition is referred to as 'anterograde amnesia'. Retrograde amnesia is, in general, viewed as a problem with recovering remote information, while anterograde amnesia represents problems with registering new information.
From the Paper "There are different types of amnesia like retrograde, anterograde, lacunar amnesia, transient global amnesia and hysterical amnesia. Among these retrograde and anterograde amnesia are the two most prevalent conditions. Amnesia can be caused by brain damage due to accidents or infectious diseases and the condition can be temporary or more lasting depending on the severity of the damage. In general amnesia due to organic causes are of more permanent nature. The DSM defines retrograde amnesia as the, ?Loss of memory of events that occurred before the onset of the etiological condition or agent.? [Scottsdale] In retrograde amnesia the amnesiac looses long-term memory and he cannot recollect events that happened prior to the trauma. Before going into detail about retrograde amnesia it is necessary to have a brief outlook on the mechanism of the brain function."
Abstract The paper looks at the types of amnesia and their causes, including amnesia which targets short-term memory patterns (anterograde), long-term memory patterns (retrograde) and a transient global mode of amnesia. The paper then discusses the treatments available, which involve cognitive rehabilitation and medications, but shows how amnesia is a medical disorder which we have a limited scientific ability to address.
From the Paper "In many ways, the inhospitable nature of memory to empirical research has been a considerable obstruction to our understanding of the various afflictions to proper access of information as stored in the brain. However, by the same token, the nature and symptoms of many such afflictions as those which appear to target mental fidelity are helping to illuminate some of the as yet unresolved secrets of neurological functionality. In the necessary pursuit of effective medical treatment for individuals afflicted by memory loss of any nature, we have begun to breach new frontiers in the scientific comprehension of the peculiarities and implications of information retention and recall. Perhaps the most popularly recognized condition concerning memory retention and loss, and one that has been fairly useful as a source for theretofore unconsidered revelations about the inner-workings of memory storage, is amnesia."
Abstract This paper describes anterograde and retrograde amnesia and the causes of this disorder. The paper explores the areas of the brain involved, and describes studies from brain-damaged patients from whom this information has been established. The paper discusses temporally graded retrograde amnesia, and how it affects long-term memory, as well as temporary forms of amnesia.
From the Paper "Anterograde amnesia is characterized by a loss of memory for events which occurred following injury to the brain, whereas retrograde amnesia is characterized by a loss of memory for events which occurred before a brain injury."
Abstract This paper discusses the concepts behind infantile amnesia, or the inability of adults to recall personal experiences from early life. The paper provides theories on early autobiographical memory and factors that influence the development of infantile amnesia. The paper also explains how experiences that lack verbal communication skills are forgotten as a child matures, while on the other hand, events that are verbally encoded are more vivid and long-lasting.
From the Paper "Developmentalists and psychologists have long mused over the mysteries of memory and its origins. Anecdotally, people have had accounts of childhood memories, some as early as being in the womb. Prenatal memories are thought to affect how infants behave as soon as they are born into this world: newborns are observed to have preference over sounds or lullabies their mothers have sung to them prior to their births. Mothers are easily recognized because of the familiarity of their voices. Psychologists contend that sexual desires and even violent behaviours are rooted on traumatic birth experiences. The residue of these early experiences is thought to influence one's actions, regardless if they cannot consciously recollect these memories."
Tags: memory development, prenatal hypnosis, cognitive development
Abstract This paper investigates and outlines the different theories that explain why amnesia occurs in individuals. The paper explores how theorists view the temporary loss of memory as an unnatural problem in individuals that must be taken into account by both medical professionals and individuals who suffer from amnesia. The paper describes several of the different theories, including Lashley, Hebb, and Korsakaff.
From the Paper "One of the repercussions of the brain damage, or injury to the brain is a condition known as Amnesia, in which the individual suffers a loss of memory. Though the causes of amnesia are not limited to the direct injury of the brain such as an accident, and may occur to either a stroke, result of a disease, of the after-effects of excessive alcoholism, the presence of a chronic drug abuse, or psychological trauma or even stress, the subject of our study will be limited to Amnesia in relation to the brain injury."
Tags: drug, medicine, hospital, care, intensive, alcohol, trauma, accident, memory
Abstract This paper examines childhood amnesia and proposes an experimental method for testing it. It includes a literature review of relevant articles. It also includes an outline of an experiment to examine the 2:6 line in early childhood memory and expected results or hypotheses.
Abstract This paper explores the organic causes of amnesia, including Alzheimer's disease, with reference to shortage of ACH and Ronald Reagon who developed the diease in 1994. It also examines alcohol abuse, Korsakoff psychosis and the defiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), hippocampal damage due to encephalitis and lesions within the brain.
From the Paper "Prolonged low levels or complete lack of thiamine, which the body uses to convert carbohydrates into energy, eventually affects the brain and nervous system. Low levels of thiamine within chronic alcoholics, is due to what could be explained as malnutrition. Most heavy drinkers have poor eating habits, usually supplementing food with alcohol, hence nutrition is overly inadequate and essential vitamins the body requires are not received. Alcohol furthermore can inflame the lining in the stomach and delay the body's natural ability to absorb key vitamins it does receive. Over time this prolonged deficiency in thiamine, significantly damages important areas of the brain critical for memory, such as the thalamus and the basal forebrain."
Abstract The paper states that the topic of recovered memories and false memories with respect to childhood sexual abuse is closely connected to memory issues of amnesia and delayed recall. The paper comments that although it is impossible to determine exactly how common amnesia and delayed recall are in cases of child sexual abuse, research does indicate that both phenomena occur with respect to child sexual abuse. The paper suggests that one explanation for why it does not occur, may be related to the types of abuse experience, in that repeated abuse may be more likely to cause amnesia or delayed recall.
Outline:
Introduction
Research concerning child sexual abuse and amnesia Disagreement of the literature
Amnesia Delayed Recall
Prevalence
- problems with determining prevalence
Suggested Explanations
- Type of Trauma
Conclusion
From the Paper "The literature is also somewhat convoluted on the subject, as some researchers find traumatic events are encoded in more detail than non traumatic events, while others find that traumatic events are forgotten altogether. Such is the case when amnesia occurs. Amnesia refers to a loss of memory, most often of declarative memory as opposed to procedural memory (how to tie your shoe laces) (Colman, 2003). Although vivid intrusions of traumatic images and sensations are some of the most dramatic expressions of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a disorder commonly associated with childhood sexual abuse, the loss of recollections for traumatic experiences is also well documented. Research suggests that for some victims of trauma, having no recall of the abuse is based on more than just ordinary forgetting associated with the passage of time, their young age at the time of trauma, or lack of salience of the traumatic event"
This paper discusses various categories of dissociative disorders: Dissociative Identity Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia, Dissociative Fugue and Depersonalization Disorder.
Abstract This paper explains that dissociation is a defense mechanism against trauma, which helps remove victims of trauma from the experience at the time when it occurs, allowing them to delay working through the trauma. The author points out that the cause of dissociative identity disorder is unknown, but histories of patients diagnosed with this disorder indicate that a commonality is a traumatic event such as childhood physical or sexual abuse, commonly incestuous, the death of a close relative or friend during childhood or witnessing a trauma or a death. The paper relates that the symptoms of dissociative amnesia and fugue tend to disappear spontaneously; therapy can focus on the stressful factors, which may trigger an episode, or on treating accompanying depressive states.
Table of Contents
Categories
Dissociative Identity Disorder
History
Description
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Etiology
Psychodynamic Perspective
Behavioral Perspective
Treatment
Dissociative Amnesia Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Types of Dissociative Amnesia Etiology
Dissociative Fugue
Etiology
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Treatment of Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue
Depersonalization Disorder
Etiology
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Treatment
From the Paper "Different parts of the personality are alternately allowed to be expressed or remain repressed at any one time. They cannot coexist due to the intense anxiety that would result. Therefore, each is sealed off from the others. You might think of a rock being split in many pieces and each separate piece forming its own space that becomes sealed off from the other pieces. It is believed that the split occurs because the child who is exposed to a traumatic event and unable to escape dissociates and takes on other personalities to cope with the pain. It is also believed that person's who are susceptible to hypnosis are more likely to develop this disorder when exposed to severe trauma."
Abstract The paper discusses research and data obtained from studying patients with various degrees of amnesia following brain damage. It looks at theories regarding mechanisms by which memories are stored and retrieved.
From the Paper "I. Abstract
Memory is fundamental to human life, and though its mechanisms have come under intense scrutiny over the last half century, much still remains a mystery. Though certain regions of the brain, such as the medial temporal lobes and the ..."
Abstract The paper examines the studies done on early childhood trauma, amnesia and the multiple ego theories that prove the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID) empirically exists. The paper shows how DID is a valid disorder that needs more evaluation and clinical trials, but notes that there is a great deal of evidence already present that is significant for a diagnostic procedure for psychologists.
From the Paper "The first criterion for relating a diagnosis for Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is to define how the ego--not the personality--is the new phenomenon in psychological discourse on the subject. In recent years psychologists and researchers have moved away from defining DID as a personality related split within the psyche of the patient. This trend in research and definitive phenomenon for Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) has been negated by the introduction of the "ego states" as the foundation for new diagnostics perspectives in DID."
Abstract The paper discusses the movie "Memento" which is a neo-noir-psychological thriller about a former insurance fraud investigator. During a burglary his wife is raped and murdered and he sustains a brain injury, resulting in loss of short term memory. The paper uses the movie as a background for discussing memory loss and states that "memory" is one of the key elements that separates human beings from animals. It is one of the basic building blocks of personality. The movie "Memento" is concerned with all aspects of memory, especially the manipulation of it. The paper continues by discussing various case histories of memory loss.
From the Paper " Our class discussion has often mentioned that who we are is shaped as much by our experiences as by our environment (nurture/nature). Memory can also be unreliable, not to mention easily influenced. Although memories are skewed by perspective, they are critical to the human experience. Memento is concerned with all aspects of memory, especially the manipulation of it. Manipulation of memory means that Leonard must struggle to avoid being manipulated by various people who would clearly like to use him. This movie's approach to telling us the story in reverse chronological order and as two separate, alternating narratives is probably accurate to how people struggling with memory loss experience life. As viewers this progression clarifies the puzzle - but then our memories are in tact aren't they?"
Abstract It is the goal of this paper to define anesthesia, describe its uses and origin; and, finally describe its effects on the auditory system. This paper will describe in detail such effects and studies proving amnesia or the existence of surgery memory in spite of the use of anesthesia.
Abstract The Holocaust is a painful reminder that humanity can turn upon itself and inflict incomprehensible damage. It undoubtedly altered the course of millions of lives, many of which are still attempting to heal, despite the decades that separate the event from the present. Naturally, survivors of the Holocaust acutely feel the aftermath of this horrific persecution. The paper shows that what is not commonly known, however, is the ripple effect currently underway that impacts the second and also the third generation of individuals whose relatives fell victim to the Holocaust. In an attempt to understand the complexity of this phenomenon, this paper separately examines each generation and the ways in which the Holocaust has affected it, and how this trans-generational transmission occurs.
From the Paper "As previously mentioned, adult survivors of the Holocaust exhibit different reactions to their wartime tragedies than their younger counterparts. Some use black humor to ease an otherwise unbearable situation (Klein, 1990). Immediately following liberation, 'an extreme sense of insecurity resulted in the need to search for someone, somewhere, who might by a miracle still be alive' (Eitinger, 1429). For many, this uncertainty persists today. As one researcher indicates, adult Holocaust survivors regard highly a sense of normalcy (Bender, 2004). This means that despite internal suffering, they attempt to externally appear well-adjusted and functional. "
Abstract The paper discusses amnestic syndrome, an abnormal mental state where all cognitive functions are intact except memory and learning.
The paper also looks at Alzheimer's disease, a tragic, progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory, their ability to learn, reason, communicate and carry out daily activities. Additionally, the paper examines mild mental retardation, phenylketonuria (PKU), functional enuresis and encorpresis and autism.
From the Paper "Amnestic disorders can be either transient or persistent and can be caused by accidents, trauma, seizures, alcohol, tumors, encephalitis, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other conditions. There are some fascinating clinical cases on record where after severe brain trauma, an individual was completely unable to lay down new memories at all. There are also popular movies about amnestic syndromes. One of the most interesting is the movie, Memento, in which the main character has to tattoo notes all over his body to help him function because he has lost his memory and cannot retain new memories."
