Amnesia Retrograde

Amnesia Retrograde: Definition, Causes and Treatment

Retrograde amnesia is a form of memory loss in which a person cannot remember events that occurred before the onset of an illness or injury. This is different from anterograde amnesia, which affects the ability to remember new events.

The causes of retrograde amnesia can be different. The most common causes are head injuries, strokes, brain tumors, infections, and some forms of dementia. People with retrograde amnesia may retain skills and knowledge acquired before the onset of the disease, but they may forget what happened in the past few days, weeks, or months.

Various methods may be used to determine the presence of retrograde amnesia, including examination of the patient, review of medical history, and neuropsychological tests. Some of these tests can assess the level of memory loss and determine what types of information are affected.

Treatment for retrograde amnesia depends on its cause. In the case of a head injury or stroke, rehabilitation techniques may be used to restore brain function. Other causes, such as a brain tumor or infection, may require surgery or medication.

Apart from traditional treatments, there are also some alternative methods that can help patients with retrograde amnesia. Some of these methods include meditation techniques, psychotherapy, and musicology.

Overall, retrograde amnesia can be a serious condition that affects the quality of life of patients. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help improve patients' conditions and reduce the impact of memory loss on their lives.

Retrograde amnesia is one of the most common causes of strokes - 57% (according to some sources 79%). But this is only a presumptive diagnosis, which includes all patients who do not remember their first steps, do not know their own name or close relatives, lose memory of the past and have speech disorders of the “second language” type.

**When do you need to see a doctor urgently, and when can you cope with this disease on your own?**

Doctors, at the suggestion of French clinicians, call retrograde amnesia “memory erasure.” We are not talking about any voluntary erasure. Our brain has certain sections responsible for storing and reproducing information.