Psychology of Memory: Anterograde and Retrograde

Memory Disorders

• Memory impairments occur when damage to specific brain regions hinders or diminishes the capacity to encode, retain, or recall information.
• These disorders influence cognitive functions and social interactions, affecting linguistic abilities, problem-solving skills, and the execution of basic tasks.
• Memory disorders can vary in severity from mild to severe and can be either progressive or sudden.

Causes of Memory Disorders

• Neurological conditions: Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, Severe Head Injuries, and Repeated concussions that damage the nerves, tissues, and blood supply to the brain.
• Psychological conditions: Depression, Anxiety, and Brain Tumor.

Introduction to DSM-5/5 TR

• Updated Terminology: DSM-5 introduced Mild and Major Neurocognitive Disorders.
• Major NCD replaces "dementia" to avoid its negative connotations and facilitate early diagnosis, especially in younger patients.
• Diagnostic Criteria for Major NCD: requires decline in only one cognitive domain, memory impairment is not essential, and cognitive deficits must interfere with independence in daily activities.

Stages of Memory

• Types of memories stored in the brain:
• Amnesic Syndrome: characterized by severe deficits in the ability to form new memories (anterograde amnesia).
• Korsakoff Syndrome: chronic memory disorder caused by severe deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), often associated with chronic alcoholism.
• Herpes Encephalitis: acute or subacute illness that causes both general and focal signs of cerebral dysfunction, usually caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
• Alzheimer's Disease: progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects older adults.