Abstract
Korsakoff’s syndrome (KS) is characterized by dense anterograde amnesia resulting from damage to the diencephalon region,
typically resulting from chronic alcohol abuse and thiamine deficiency. This review assesses the integrity of the implicit
memory system in KS, focusing on studies of procedural learning and priming. KS patients are impaired on several measures
of procedural memory, most likely due to impairment in cognitive functions associated with alcohol-related neural damage outside
of the diencephalon. The pattern of performance on tasks of implicit priming suggests reliance on a residual, non-flexible
memory operating more or less in an automatic fashion. Our review concludes that whether measures of implicit memory reveal
intact or impaired performance in individuals with KS depends heavily on specific task parameters and demands, including timing
between stimuli, the specific nature of the stimuli used in a task, and the integrity of supportive cognitive functions necessary
for performance.
typically resulting from chronic alcohol abuse and thiamine deficiency. This review assesses the integrity of the implicit
memory system in KS, focusing on studies of procedural learning and priming. KS patients are impaired on several measures
of procedural memory, most likely due to impairment in cognitive functions associated with alcohol-related neural damage outside
of the diencephalon. The pattern of performance on tasks of implicit priming suggests reliance on a residual, non-flexible
memory operating more or less in an automatic fashion. Our review concludes that whether measures of implicit memory reveal
intact or impaired performance in individuals with KS depends heavily on specific task parameters and demands, including timing
between stimuli, the specific nature of the stimuli used in a task, and the integrity of supportive cognitive functions necessary
for performance.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review
- Pages 1-22
- DOI 10.1007/s11065-012-9204-3
- Authors
- Scott M. Hayes, Memory Disorders Research Center, VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Catherine B. Fortier, Geriatric Research & Education Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Andrea Levine, Geriatric Research & Education Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- William P. Milberg, Geriatric Research & Education Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Regina McGlinchey, Geriatric Research & Education Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Neuropsychology Review
- Online ISSN 1573-6660
- Print ISSN 1040-7308