Anterograde amnesia

Definition

Anterograde amnesia is a condition where an individual is unable to form new memories following the onset of the condition. It often results from brain injury, disease, or as a side effect of certain medications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Anterograde amnesia can be induced by certain anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotic drugs, including benzodiazepines.
2. The hippocampus is a critical brain region involved in the formation of new memories, and damage to this area can lead to anterograde amnesia.
3. Benzodiazepines like midazolam are commonly associated with causing anterograde amnesia during medical procedures to prevent patients from recalling distressing events.
4. Anterograde amnesia does not affect long-term memories formed before the onset of the condition; it only impairs the creation of new memories.
5. Treatment for anterograde amnesia focuses on managing underlying conditions and employing cognitive therapies to help patients adapt.

Review Questions

• Which class of drugs commonly used as anxiolytics can induce anterograde amnesia?
• What part of the brain is primarily responsible for forming new memories and is often implicated in anterograde amnesia?
• How does anterograde amnesia differ from retrograde amnesia?

Related terms

Retrograde Amnesia: A condition where individuals lose pre-existing memories prior to the onset of the condition.

Benzodiazepines:

A class of psychoactive drugs used primarily for treating anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.

Hippocampus:

A region in the brain associated with memory formation and spatial navigation.