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."

Tags:anterograde, retrograde, hippocampus, anterorhinal, perirhinal, entorhinal, diencephalon, thalamus, amygdala

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."

Tags:memory, loss, brain, disorder

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."

Tags:brain, trauma, alcohol, chemical, abuse, Wernicke-Korsakoff, syndrome

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?"

Tags:hippocampus, anterograde, amnesia, independent, mechanisms