Autobiographical memory: a biocultural relais between subject and environment

Abstract

Autobiographical memory is described as integrated part of a number of memory systems which serve different functions in human information processing. These systems are regarded to be build-up onto each other both phylo- and ontogenetically and are named 'procedural memory', 'priming', 'perceptual memory', 'semantic memory (or knowledge system)' and episodic-autobiographical memory (EAM)'. Of these, EAM requires an established self and autonoetic consciousness and processes events or personal episodes. On the brain level, EAM is based on the synchronous activation of cognitive fact-processing and emotional, evaluating structures (e.g., hippocampal formation, amygdaloid body). Retrieval from EAM requires the activation of fronto-temporal areas and of limbic regions, particularly of the right hemisphere. Damage to these structures or their functional disengagement due to traumatic, stressful events selectively blocks the retrieval of EAM, though that of facts remains unimpaired ('mnestic block syndrome'). Consequently, both brain tissue damage and an altered hormonal status can have the same consequences, namely severe retrograde amnesia, which is either named organic or dissociative amnesia.