Learning, Memory, and Amnesia

Amnesia 

   This is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The memory can be either completely or partially lost due to the extent of damage that was caused. . Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain.These structures include the thalamus, which lies within the center of your brain, and the hippocampal formations, which are located within the temporal lobes of your brain. Any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia.Possible causes of amnesia include, but are not limited to: stroke, brain inflammation, long-term alcohol abuse, and tumors in areas of brain that control memory. 

   People with amnesia usually know who they are, but may have trouble learning new information and forming new memories this is what is referred to as anterograde amnesia. Another component of this illness is called, retrograde amnesia what this means is that the person has lost memory of the events

that has occurred in their life before the brain damage. However, keep in mind that there are different kinds of memories. For example procedural memory, which is automated skills like perhaps driving a car and declarative memory (abstract facts, personal experiences) and more than often when cases of amnesia occur only one kind of memory is affected. A person with amnesia could vaguely remember details about ones identity. but still remember how to play the guitar. 

   As far as trying to treat this illness there are no medications as of right now able to aid the affects of amnesia on an individual. A person with amnesia may work with an occupational therapist to learn new information to replace what was has been lost, or to use memories that already exist as a foundation for taking in new information. Memory training may also include a variety of strategies for organizing information so that it's easier to remember and for improving understanding of a more complex conversation.

   It's a sad fact that people with amnesia may never bounce back from their illness. It just really would take a lot of patience in trying to help the individual cope with the problem. All a person with amnesia can really do is to try and practice what they are trying to remember to see if they can recognize the details. 

   Unless you've been living under a rock you would know that there is a famous movie out that demonstrates the affects of anterograde amnesia, it is called 50 First Dates ( one of my favorite movies) with Drew Barrymore, who also happens to be one of my favorite actresses! Here is a clip from the movie that demonstrates what a person with that illness would go through, I'm not sure if they are just being over-dramatic or if severe affects like that can happen like "Ten-Second Tom." 

On the left is someone who is suffering from anterograde amnesia and the right is a normal brain.