Impaired event memory and recollection in a case of developmental amnesia

Neurocase. 2011 Oct;17(5):394-409. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2010.532138. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

Abstract

A current debate in the literature is whether all declarative memories and associated memory processes rely on the same neural substrate. Here, we show that H.C., a developmental amnesic person with selective bilateral hippocampal volume loss, has a mild deficit in personal episodic memory, and a more pronounced deficit in public event memory; semantic memory for personal and general knowledge was unimpaired. This was accompanied by a subtle difference in impairment between recollection and familiarity on lab-based tests of recognition memory. Strikingly, H.C.'s recognition did not benefit from a levels-of-processing manipulation. Thus, not all types of declarative memory and related processes can exist independently of the hippocampus even if it is damaged early in life.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amnesia / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Mental Recall / physiology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • ROC Curve
  • Young Adult