Retrograde amnesia facts for kids

Retrograde amnesia is a type of amnesia where a person cannot remember things that happened before a specific event, like a head injury or illness. It's like a part of their past memories has gone missing. This is different from anterograde amnesia, where someone cannot form new memories after the event.

What is Retrograde Amnesia?

Retrograde amnesia means you forget memories from your past. These can be memories from a few minutes before an event, or even memories from many years ago. The amount of time forgotten can be different for each person. For example, someone might forget what they had for breakfast, or they might forget their entire childhood.

How Does it Happen?

Retrograde amnesia often happens because of damage to the brain. This damage can be caused by:

• Head injuries: A strong hit to the head, like from a fall or an accident.
• Strokes: When blood flow to part of the brain is stopped.
• Brain infections: Like encephalitis, which causes swelling in the brain.
• Certain diseases: Such as Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.
• Lack of oxygen: If the brain doesn't get enough oxygen for a period of time.

Brain Areas Involved

Memories are stored in different parts of the brain. The hippocampus is very important for forming new memories. However, older memories are often stored in other areas, like the cerebral cortex. Damage to these areas can lead to retrograde amnesia. The brain is amazing because it can sometimes heal, and memories can slowly come back.

Types of Memories Affected

Not all memories are the same. Retrograde amnesia can affect different kinds of memories:

• Episodic memories: These are memories of specific events or experiences, like your last birthday party or a family vacation. These are often the first to be forgotten.
• Semantic memories: These are memories of facts and general knowledge, like knowing that Paris is the capital of France or what a dog is. These memories are usually more resistant to loss.
• Procedural memories: These are memories of how to do things, like riding a bike or playing a musical instrument. People with retrograde amnesia often keep these skills.

How is it Different from Anterograde Amnesia?

It's easy to mix up retrograde and anterograde amnesia, but they are opposites:

• Retrograde amnesia: You forget the past. You can usually form new memories after the event that caused the amnesia.
• Anterograde amnesia: You cannot form new memories. You remember your past, but you forget things that happen from the moment of the injury onwards.

Sometimes, a person can have both types of amnesia at the same time. This means they might forget parts of their past and also struggle to make new memories.

Living with Retrograde Amnesia

Living with retrograde amnesia can be very challenging. Imagine waking up and not remembering your family, your home, or important events from your life.

• Emotional impact: People can feel confused, frustrated, or sad.
• Daily life: It can be hard to do everyday tasks if you don't remember routines or important information.
• Support: Family, friends, and doctors play a big role in helping someone with amnesia. They can help remind the person of their past and create new routines.

Recovery and Treatment

The chances of recovering memories depend on what caused the amnesia and how severe it is.

• Time: Sometimes, memories return slowly over time, especially after a head injury.
• Therapy: Therapists can help people use strategies to remember things, like using calendars, notes, or memory games.
• Support groups: Connecting with others who have similar experiences can be helpful.

While there isn't a specific "cure" for amnesia, treating the underlying cause (like a brain infection) can sometimes help improve memory.

See also

• Amnesia
• Anterograde amnesia
• In Spanish: Amnesia retrógrada para niños