Overview
This lecture covers the Clive Wearing case study, illustrating the impact of severe amnesia on memory systems due to brain infection.
Background & Illness
- Clive Wearing was a successful London musician before his illness.
- In 1985, he contracted meningitis, an infection of the brain's protective membranes (meninges).
- The infection caused severe damage to his central nervous system, especially the hippocampus.
Symptoms & Effects
- Wearing suffers from total amnesia, unable to store new long-term memories.
- His short-term memory lasts only 7–30 seconds.
- He repeatedly believes he has just woken up and cannot recall previous events.
- He struggles with emotional regulation and often experiences unstable moods.
Memory Types Affected
- The hippocampus, damaged by the infection, is crucial for converting short-term into long-term memories.
- Clive's episodic memory (personal experiences) is highly impaired.
- Despite amnesia, his procedural memory (skills and habits) remains intact, allowing him to play piano and read music.
Personal Relationships
- Clive cannot remember his children's names or details about their lives.
- He recognizes and greets his wife with joy each time, believing each meeting is their first since his illness.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Amnesia — a condition characterized by memory loss.
- Meningitis — infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Hippocampus — part of the temporal lobe essential for forming and storing long-term memories.
- Short-term memory — system for temporarily holding information, lasting seconds.
- Episodic memory — memory of personal experiences and events.
- Procedural memory — memory for performing skills and habits.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the differences between episodic and procedural memory for exams.
- Make notes on the role of the hippocampus in memory formation.