Henry Molaison

Henry Molaison (Patient H.M.)

Henry Molaison (February 26, 1926 – December 2, 2008), widely known as Patient H.M. in scientific literature, was an American memory disorder patient who had a significant and lasting impact on the understanding of the relationship between brain function and memory formation. After undergoing an experimental surgical procedure to alleviate severe epilepsy, Molaison developed profound anterograde amnesia, becoming unable to form new long-term memories. His case became one of the most studied in medical history and has been fundamental in the development of theories regarding the neural basis of memory and learning.

Henry Mollison in A Bride for Henry (1937)

Early Life and Surgical Procedure

Born in Manchester, Connecticut, Henry Molaison suffered from epilepsy early in life. By his late twenties, the seizures became so severe and frequent that they significantly interfered with his daily life. In 1953, he underwent a bilateral medial temporal lobectomy to remove the anterior two-thirds of his hippocampi, parahippocampal cortices, and amygdalae in an attempt to control his epilepsy. The surgery, performed by Dr. William Beecher Scoville, successfully reduced his epileptic episodes but resulted in extensive memory loss.

Contributions to Neuroscience

Molaison's unique cognitive condition provided invaluable insights into the workings of the human memory system. Prior to his case, the hippocampus's role in memory formation was not well understood. Through decades of study, researchers discovered that while Molaison could not form new episodic or semantic memories, his procedural memory and working memory remained intact. This led to the differentiation between declarative and non-declarative memory and the understanding that the hippocampus is critical for the formation of long-term declarative memories.

Illustration highlighting the hippocampus in the human brain, crucial for memory formation.

Impact on Understanding Memory

The extensive research conducted with Molaison revolutionized the field of cognitive neuroscience. Key findings from studies involving Molaison include:

• The distinction between short-term and long-term memory
• The differentiation between explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory
• Insights into the process of memory consolidation
• The realization that memory is a distributed process involving multiple brain regions

Ethical Considerations

Molaison's case also brought to light ethical considerations regarding patient consent and the study of individuals with cognitive impairments. His inability to form new memories raised questions about his capacity to give informed consent for the numerous studies he participated in. However, Molaison's contributions to science were made willingly, with the support of his legal guardians, and have been invaluable in advancing the understanding of human memory.

Legacy

Henry Molaison's life and the knowledge gained from the study of his condition continue to influence neuroscience, psychology, and the ethical conduct of research. His case underscores the importance of ethical considerations in the study of vulnerable populations and the profound impact that individual patients can have on advancing medical science.

See Also

• Memory
• Hippocampus
• Neuroscience
• Medical ethics

External Links

• Society for Neuroscience - Henry Molaison
• New York Times Obituary - Henry Molaison

References

• "Permanent Present Tense: The Unforgettable Life of the Amnesic Patient, H.M." by Suzanne Corkin.
• "Memory and the hippocampus: a synthesis from findings with rats, monkeys, and humans." Psychological Review.

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