Dense amnesia in a professional musician following herpes simplex virus encephalitis

Author(s): Baddeley, A. D., Kapur, N.

Journal/Book: J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 1995; 17: P O Box 825, 2160 Sz Lisse, Netherlands. Swets Zeitlinger BV. 668-681.

Abstract: We describe the memory functioning of C, a professional musician who became amnesic following herpes simplex encephalitis in 1985. Although transient amnesia in a professional musician has previously been described, this is the first reported case of chronic amnesia in a highly talented professional musician. C is unusual in three respects. First, his amnesia is particularly severe. Second, his amnesia includes semantic as well as episodic memory deficits. Third, he believes he has just woken up and his preoccupation with this state of 'just wakening' has persisted for over 9 years. This appears to be the result of a delusion rather than the consequence of his amnesia.

Note: Article BA Wilson, MRC, Appl Psychol Unit, 15 Chaucer Rd, Cambridge CB2 2EF, England

Keyword(s): RETROGRADE-AMNESIA; SEMANTIC MEMORY; DISORDER; ACCESS

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