Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories due to brain injury or trauma, while retrograde amnesia is the loss of memories formed before an accident. The hippocampus and basal forebrain are linked to anterograde amnesia, but individuals may still learn skills due to procedural memory. Neural plasticity may offer potential treatments for brain damage disorders.
Anterograde amnesia is a condition in which an individual is unable to form new memories. The old memories of him still exist and his short-term memory is still functional, but he is unable to transfer new information into his long-term memory. Anterograde amnesia is almost always the direct result of some form of brain injury or trauma, but the exact cause of this, as well as the precise mechanism of memory formation and retention, is not fully understood. Conversely, retrograde amnesia is a condition in which an individual loses memories that formed before an accident that causes brain damage.
There are a few different parts of the brain that have been linked to anterograde amnesia. A large amount of new information must pass through the hippocampus before being stored in permanent memory; as such, damage to the hippocampus can impede memory formation. The basal forebrain contains structures that produce chemicals important for learning, making it also essential for memory formation. Other less important parts of the brain have also been linked to anterograde amnesia, although the connection between the structures and memory formation is often poorly understood.
The severity of anterograde amnesia can vary from case to case, but it always involves severe forgetfulness. Sometimes amnesia is chemically induced for research purposes; in these cases it is temporary. Often, anterograde amnesia caused by brain damage is permanent. Over time, memory loss can get better or worse; there is no fixed rule that describes the progression of a learning disability.
Not all forms of learning are completely impossible for individuals with anterograde amnesia. While they are often unable to recall any facts about anything that happened because they suffered brain damage, people with amnesia may still find it possible to learn skills. Studies have shown that while an individual who is unable to form new memories will have no recollection of learning a new skill, she will often be able to perform a new skill without being taught it again. This is because his declarative memory is impaired while his procedural memory continues to function.
The human brain is known for its plasticity. Neural plasticity describes the ability of nerves to form new neural pathways to recover lost function. In some cases, this involves transferring various neural functions from one side of the brain to another. Neural plasticity has led to the restoration of some neural function in some individuals who have suffered brain damage. Scientists are investigating ways to apply the property of neural plasticity to treatments for anterograde amnesia and other disorders caused by brain damage.
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