Amnesia

Abstract

Amnesia is a common clinical problem characterized by four features: (1) normal immediate recall, (2) impaired ability to learn, (3) relatively spared ability to retrieve previously learned material, and (4) preserved cognitive and personality characteristics. Amnesia occurs as a distinct mental disorder, and nine variations seen clinically are described here: Korsakoff's psychosis, posttraumatic amnesia, amnesia stroke, postoperative amnesia, postinfectious amnesia, anoxic amnesia, transient global amnesia following ECT, and psychogenic amnesia. The clinical findings which characterize and differentiate these disorders are presented, along with suggestions for management and a discussion of the the outcome of amnesia.