PSYCHOGENIC MECHANISMS OF PROLONGED AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL RETROGRADE-AMNESIA

Much of the previous literature on retrograde amnesia (RA) has emphasized either psychogenic or neurologic explanations. Two cases of persistent RA for autobiographical material after cerebral dysfunction are described, including 9-year follow-up data. Each case had both psychogenic features and evidence of left temporal lobe dysfunction, although the latter was transient in one case. For these cases there was no likely neurologic explanation for RA, and the data suggested psychogenic etiology. Distinguishing features of neurologic and psychogenic causes of RA are summarized. It is recommended that researchers investigating presumptive cases of RA of neurologic origin rule out psychogenic explanations through hypnosis or sodium amytal interviews and careful review of history.