Talk:Retrograde amnesia

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This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 28 October 2019 and 16 December 2019. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Maddyberg.

Above undated message substituted from Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org assignment by PrimeBOT (talk) 08:05, 17 January 2022 (UTC)

Cause
What causes Retrograde Amnesia?
 * From the article; "Retrograde amnesia is caused by trauma that results in brain injury."
 * I know someone who had retrograde amnesia that according to him, was caused by an infection. Was he mistaken or is this also a possibility? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.82.251.225 (talk) 12:17, 13 January 2011 (UTC)

Repetition of familiar events helpful?
It's noted in the article that familiar objects are often used to help stimulate memory. At times, I've seen on television (like that's a good guide, I know :-) that repetition of familiar things will also help. Is this true? For instance, in The Jeffersons, George repeated his first date with Louise, which was a comical disaster, to help her get her memory back. Other sitcoms have used the "faimilar things" approach, like an episode of Diff'rent Strokes and the finale of Full House, but in the former, it could be aruged it was repeating a familiar event that helped trigger Mr. Drummond's memory of Arnold and Willis (threatening to ground them if they ran away), and in the latter, the Full House Chronology (http://howrude.org/show/chronology/) describes in a footnote that it's implied an accidental repeating of an earlier experienced situation helped Michelle recover her memory. (Being in a strange place and looking for older sister Stephanie for comfort; admittedly, not really a repeition per se like the one on "The Jeffersons" - probably more of a "familiar things" type event.)Somebody or his brother (talk) 21:40, 28 January 2008 (UTC)
 * I have heard of the use of particularly smells, and photographs, products, sounds--Timtak (talk) 12:44, 21 February 2008 (UTC) to

Memory Loss
Patients with retrograde amnesia are unlikely to lose their procedural memory. So unlike what the article says about the concert pianist forgetting how to play, many of these songs that he plays are likely procedural memories now, not semantic. He might forget how to read music, as that is a semantic memory, but he could probably fall into song while playing a piece he formerly played regularly. (Sweaterman (talk) 18:31, 31 October 2008 (UTC))

Multiple memory systems v. Problems with retrieval cues
There are two mains views in the literature to explain memory loss. There is the view that there damage to the hippocampus is due to deficiency is certain memory storage types. The other view is that it is a failure in cues which normally help retrieve the memory. Should we discuss this in this article or is it best covered elsewhere? We should also discuss Metyrapone studies with rats in water maze paradigm e.g. Roozendaal et al. 2001) which shows evidence for the retrieval cues position. Action potential discuss contribs 02:24, 19 June 2009 (UTC)

changed phrase "negative effects" to "an effect"
reason: in medical jargon a "negative finding" means that nothing was found. For example, "a patient with a negative finding of cardiac damage" is in good shape. wiki-ny-2007 (talk) 20:54, 2 July 2011 (UTC)

The very first paragraph:

"Retrograde amnesia (RA) is a loss of memory-access to events that occurred, or information that was learned, before an injury or the onset of a disease.[1] RA is often temporally graded, consistent with Ribot's Law: subjects are more likely to lose recent memories that are closer to the traumatic incident than more remote memories.[2]"

Can be ameliorated with: Retrograde amnesia (RA) is a loss of memory-access to events that occurred, or information that was learned, before an injury or the onset of a disease. [1] It tends to negatively affect episodic, autobiographical, and declarative memory while usually keeping procedural memory intact with no difficulty in learning new knowledge. RA can be temporally graded or more permanent based on the severity of its cause and is usually consistent with Ribot's Law where subjects are more likely to lose memories closer to the traumatic incident than more remote memories. [2] The type of information that is forgotten can be very specific, like a single event, or more general, resembling @general amnesia.

I like the additions here. But i worry about what is said about procedural memory and "learning new knowledge." Because this article is about retrograde amnesia, what should be made clear is that procedural memory is not affected, so old skills are not lost. Retrograde amnesia only effects memories before the event, so therefor it makes sense learning new knowledge isn't affected. I just think that separation should be more clear because as it is it seems like the procedural memory not being effected is why new things can still be learnt. But when you list episodic, autobiographical, declarative, and procedural memory you're referring to the old memory, as this is retrograde amnesia, which would not affect gaining new episodic, autobiographical, or declarative memories, Annasjenkins (talk) 16:57, 25 April 2016 (UTC)annasjenkins

Brain Structure:

"The hippocampus deals largely with memory consolidation,[3] in particular episodic memory. Its main responsibility is making information go from short-term memories into long-term stores. Amnesic patients with damage to the hippocampus are able to demonstrate some degree of unimpaired semantic memory, despite loss of episodic memory, due to spared parahippocampal cortex.[6]"

Can be ameliorated with: The @hippocampus deals largely with memory consolidation, [3] where information in the working and short term memory is encoded into long-term storage for future retrieval. Most amnesic patients with damage to the hippocampus are still able to demonstrate some degree of unimpaired semantic and procedural memory, despite the loss of their episodic memories, due to the spared parahippocampal cortex. [6]. In other words, they "know" the information or skill, but cannot "remember" how they do.

@diencephalon section seems vague and unnecessary for the content of this page.

"The temporal lobes are essential for semantic and factual memory processing. Aside from helping to consolidate memory with the hippocampus,[5] the temporal lobes are extremely important for semantic memory. Damage to this region of the brain can result in impaired organization and categorization of verbal material, disturbance of language comprehension, and impaired long-term memory. Right side lesions in particular, result in impaired recall of non-verbal material, such as music and drawings.[7] Difficulties in studying this region of the brain extend to its duties in comprehension, naming objects, verbal memory, and other language functions.[8]"

Can add: Right frontal love is critical in retrieval of episodic information, while the left frontal region is more active in retrieval of semantic information. In particular, right hemisphere and right frontal lobe lesions result in impaired.... (avoid using the word "side")

"Plasticity of the brain is when rewiring occurs because of brain damage, finding different neural pathways and not relying on the damaged structures.[9] "

Use actual definition of @Plasticity which is the general adaptation/changing of the brain. It is not only specifically for brain damage, although it is present.

Temporally graded retrograde amnesia

"Recovery often takes place after the onset of RA, which the Standard model accounts for. It suggests that the hippocampal formation is only used in systematic consolidation for a temporary and short period of time, until long-term consolidation takes place by other brain structures.[12] The fact that damage to the hippocampal formation no longer causes RA, suggests that other brain structures are able to function more independently. RA can also progress, as in the case of Korsakoff syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, due to the ongoing nature of the damage. It is very rare to find stable RA, since improvement generally takes place among patients."

Can be reworded: In temporally graded retrograde amnesia, victims eventually recover most memories following the onset of RA. This suggests that the hippocampal formation is only used in systematic consolidation for temporary and shot period of times, until long-term consolidation takes place by other brain structures. [12] Here, the fact that damage to the hippocampal formation eventually no longer causes RA, suggest that other brain structures are able to take over the jobs of malfunction brain-regions. RA can also progress and further deteriorate memory recollection, as in the case of Korsakoff syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, due to the ongoing nature of the damage.

The last sentence also needs some improving, since although stable RA is rare, improvement is very varied and can take many years before starting, let alone fully returning.

Focal, isolated, and pure retrograde amnesia

Since this page is about retrograde amnesia, it should focus on the pure form rather than the co-occurring forms found across this page. The article also fails to incorporate the psychological causes of RA through intrapsychic conflicts or unconscious repressions, often referred to as psychogenic amnesia. It may even be at in some cases both conscious feigning and unconscious processes are at play.

-Pure retrograde amnesia (PRA) refers to the behavioral syndrome that is characterized by the inability to retrieve remote information in the face of a normal ability to learn new information, with no other ecological or psychometric evidence of cognitive impairment. It should not be confused with the brief periods of peritraumatic amnesia that are common in mild concussive head traumas. The findings of pure retrograde amnesia have helped form the dissociation between mechanisms for RA and AA. Several studies have found numerous causes for PRA like vascular diseases, (case of @DH), head traumas ranging from mild to severe, encephalitis, as well as purely psychological conditions and totally unidentifiable aetiologies. Most people who suffer from PRA can function normally and learn new information and therefore are not severely set back in life.

case studies of PRA CDA - 20 year old man who fell and experienced a head trauma when unconscious for a little less than an hour -loss of self-identity and retrograde deficit was limited to the autobiographical events of the 5 years before the trauma - spontaneous speech was iterative and sometimes incoherent - when he saw family and friends he was shocked at how old they looked (remembered them from 5 years earlier) - at first amnesia involved procedural aspects - afraid to shave and was unable to drive - overcame quickly - could not remember what he had learned in class the previous lessons but was able to catch up with other students within a few months - good flashbulb memory for emotional events - no psychological or neuropsychological problems, as well as not brain damage - recovery of memory was progressive and spontaneous, where after several months the amnesia was limited to the two years preceding the trauma GC- 38 year old accountant was found in the town square unable to remember anything about himself and unaware of where he was/how he got there -eventually remembered basic information but could not recall emotionally charged autobiographical events pertaining to the last 7 years of his life -within 3-4 days, it was determined that his autobiographical amnesia was clearly and strictly selective for professional events -remembered basically everything that was not related to his job -then learned that the job had created severe stress and anxiety due to the extreme hours and continued commitment - presented a sudden fugue state probably triggered by emotional stress - no brain damage -eventually recovered most of his memories minus a single event where he had stolen money from the company he worked at        -classic case of psychogenic amnesia AF - 15 year old boy who hit his head and lost consciousness - could not remember anything but was able to play songs on the piano (procedural memory intact) - no brain damage or psychological problems -eventually recalled some memories but had autobiographical amnesia, as well as significant amnesia for famous public facts and events -temporal gradient was evident - only amnesic for the 2 years prior to onset -gradual recovery with most occurring the first 2-3 days and the rest slowly returning thereafter

@Malingering is conceived as the rational output of a neurologically normal brain aiming at the surreptitious achievement of a well identified gain. Quite possibly, there are subjects with borderline personalities who are more inclined to seek gain through malingering than by other means.

Causes "The causal explanation of retrograde amnesia is under investigation, however, it is commonly associated with head injuries or traumas, Korsakoff syndrome, and individuals suffering from anterograde amnesia (AA)."

Can be ameliorated: Several studies have found numerous causes for PRA like vascular diseases, (case of @DH), head traumas ranging from mild to severe, encephalitis, as well as purely psychological conditions and totally unidentifiable aetiologies.

Sentence provided does not really make sense concerning AA causing RA.

Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic amnesia "Enduring consistent head injuries can have an effect on the neural consolidation of memory.[21] In a study examining football players, it was found that those who had sustained head trauma on the field were better able to answer questions about plays made and players involved when they were asked immediately after the event (vs. a delayed period).[21]"

this part seems unnecessary and unhelpful to the article. the @forgetting curve shows that everyone naturally forgets information as it passes

I agree. This part is also referring to one specific study, which wikipedia doesn't like. In addition, it doesn't offer the comparison. Are players without head trauma able to equally remember plays immediately after they occurred and after a delayed period? I don't think the example used really exemplifies the trauma causing disruption to consolidation, as it doesn't offer a comparison, and it also is unclear that when and how often the players sustained head trauma, in comparison to when they were interviewed. I agree that this portion should be removed. Annasjenkins (talk) 16:50, 25 April 2016 (UTC)annasjenkins

Surgery case of HM needs to be further detailed. He was a founder in the field of amnesia and is a prominent figure.

Case studies "Patients with RA have exhibited an inability to describe future plans, whether in the near future (e.g., this afternoon) or in the distant future (e.g., next summer)[48] because of their inability to consolidate memories.[10] Also, researchers have found these patients can identify themselves and loved ones in photographs, but cannot determine the time or place the photo was taken.[48] It has also been found that patients with RA greatly differ from the general population in remembering past events.[49]"

not all though, this seems specific to specific case studies... can also add more case studies/patients

other forms of amnesia I would like to add this picture to further the reader's understanding.

these articles are not being added to the reference list for some reason... citation #56 Reinvang, I., Nielsen, C. S., Gjerstad, L., & Bakke, S. J. (2000). Isolated retrograde amnesia: Evidence for preservation of implicit memory. An event-related potential investigation. Neurocase, 6(5), 423-433. doi:10.1080/13554790008402713

citation #57 Muggia, S., & Spinnler, H. (1998). The Syndrome of Pure Retrograde Amnesia. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 3(2), 91-118. doi:10.1080/135468098396189

— Preceding unsigned comment added by RomainDecrop (talk • contribs) 23:53, 17 April 2016 (UTC)

temporalley grade In the first paragraph, I find "RA can be temporalley grade or more permanently". I consider this a gross typo. But I don't have enough expertise to correct it. Thank you. Gwrede (talk) 20:20, 18 March 2019 (UTC)
 * Yes, this is most definitely a typo (and amusingly preserved in the multitude of online copies on other websites that have lifted this text verbatim). I'll correct it. Thanks! Global Cerebral Ischemia (talk) 21:39, 18 March 2019 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Communicating the Fundamentals of Epidemiology
— Assignment last updated by Dinosaurchicken03 (talk) 13:09, 2 March 2023 (UTC)

Case Studies addition
Hi all,

I added a bullet point to the Case Studies section about a study concerning pupil size as an indicator of RA. I cited my source as well and copied and pasted everything over from my sandbox. Feel free to make changes or provide feedback. Thanks! JustinC7 (talk) 06:14, 10 May 2023 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Human Cognition SP23
— Assignment last updated by Shantalr00 (talk) 04:39, 11 May 2023 (UTC)