Anterograde amnesia

Anterograde amnesia (pronounced: an-ter-oh-grayd am-nee-zhuh) is a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to form new memories after the event that caused the amnesia, leading to a partial or complete inability to recall the recent past, while long-term memories from before the event remain intact.

Etymology

The term "anterograde amnesia" is derived from the Greek words "antero," meaning "front," and "grade," meaning "to go." This refers to the forward-moving nature of the memory loss, as it affects new information after the onset of the disorder. "Amnesia" comes from the Greek word "amnesis," meaning "forgetfulness."

Causes

Anterograde amnesia can be caused by damage to structures in the brain that are essential for processing new information. This damage can be the result of a traumatic brain injury, such as a blow to the head, or a neurological condition like Alzheimer's disease or stroke. It can also be induced temporarily by certain drugs and substances, including alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Symptoms

People with anterograde amnesia may struggle with tasks that require remembering new information, such as following a new recipe or remembering directions. They may also repeat themselves in conversation or forget recent events.

Treatment

While there is no cure for anterograde amnesia, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving a person's quality of life. This may involve occupational therapy to develop new memory techniques and strategies for coping with the disorder.

Related Terms

Retrograde amnesia: A type of amnesia where someone is unable to recall events that occurred before the development of the amnesia.
Amnesia: A general term for a condition in which memory is disturbed or lost.
Memory: The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.
Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system.