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Abstract
A case of retrograde amnesia, PJM, elucidated the relationship between self, episodic memory and autobiographical knowledge. Results from a variety of measures including the I Am Memory Task (IAM Task), where memories are cued by self-generated self concepts, demonstrate that PJM has a coherent, continuous sense of self, despite having lost episodic memories for an 18-month period. Her use of conceptual autobiographical knowledge, in episodic tasks and to support aspects of identity, shows how autobiographical knowledge can support the self when episodic memories are inaccessible. These results are discussed with relation to current neuropsychological models of self and memory.
The authors wish to thank PJM and her husband, for all the time and effort they generously gave in helping us with this research. Thanks also to Pam Blundell, who introduced us to PJM and enabled this research to take place, and to the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. This work was supported by an ESRC 1+3 studentship (PTA-031-2005-00309) held by Clare J. Rathbone and benefits from discussion at an ESRC Franco-British Collaborative Workshop held by Chris J.A. Moulin (RES-170-25-0008). The manuscript was prepared while Clare J. Rathbone was undertaking a visiting academic fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto, Canada.
Notes
1Headway is a registered charity which provides support for brain injury survivors, their families and carers.