Writing a research paper on amnesia helped me improve my overall research and writing skills while deepening my understanding of the topic. I learned how to gather and analyze information from scholarly sources, critically evaluate different perspectives, and create a coherent narrative. Exploring the causes, types, and effects of amnesia through extensive research enhanced my knowledge of the subject.

Tania Labra Margarito
English 21003
Professor Zayas
Research Paper - Final 
May 2, 2023
                                      Amnesia
 	Amnesia is closely associated with the loss of memory. There are many types of amnesia. For instance, Retrograde amnesia, Anterograde amnesia, Transient global amnesia, and Drug-induced amnesia. The types of amnesia don't stop there, the list goes on. There are various factors that can contribute to the development of amnesia. Society's perception and understanding of amnesia can be influenced by entertainment sources such as television, movies, cartoons, and similar media, which often portray the condition in exaggerated or stereotypical ways. Hearing and getting informed from real stories from people who have gotten amnesia should enlighten what is still needed to be known. Amnesia is deeply interfering with the function of the brain. Where in some cases sensitive fractures cause amnesia to become permanent rather than temporary like other types of amnesia. This research aims to grasp into the complexity of amnesia, exploring its causes, symptoms, and impact on individuals' lives.
How does the brain hold memory?
     The brain, as a delicate organ, plays a vital role in bodily functions. It organizes a network of complex connections between the nervous system and the spinal cord. Coordinating various abilities and actions. Together, these actions form a team within the central nervous system, working harmoniously to support overall bodily function. With such results as, “controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger and every process that regulates our body.” (Anatomy of the brain, 2023) Memories in the making, exercise the brain daily should allow smooth functions. Storing memories works as stated by a Live Science Contributor Stephanie Pappas, “This happens through the actions of synapses, or the tiny gaps between brain cells. Brain cells, or neurons, communicate with each other through an elegant electrochemical system. A change in the electrical charge of one cell triggers the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters across synapses. The neurotransmitters are then taken up by the neuron on the other side of the gap, where they trigger electrical changes in that cell.” (Pappas, 2022) Although many factors can change that role of the brain. In summary, this process of communication between neurons involves the release of neurotransmitters across synapses, which then trigger electrical changes in the receiving neuron, allowing for the transmission of information throughout the brain. The brain complexity nonetheless works in a way to hold memory.

Types of amnesia

     Retrograde amnesia, the inability to recall memories from the past. The common and basic idea of amnesia is this one, where one can’t remember names, places, habits, skills, from the past. Common misconception with AA, also known as anterograde amnesia. When it becomes difficult to create new memories overall. How it works are the following, “Memory engrams are retained under protein synthesis inhibition-induced retrograde amnesia. These engram cells can be activated by optogenetic stimulation for full-fledged recall, but not by stimulation using natural recall cues (thus, amnesia).” (Roy, 2017) Highlighting that these can be caused due to aging, genes, trauma, injury. Furthermore, “We call this state of engrams “silent engrams” and the cells bearing them “silent engram cells.” The retention of memory information under amnesia suggests that the time-limited protein synthesis following learning is dispensable for memory storage but may be necessary for effective memory retrieval processes” (Roy, 2017). Amnesia is completely complicated since it all falls on the responsibility of things naked to the human eye, trying to work all together in the brain.
     As mentioned, the anterograde amnesia it's the unlikely hood in storing new events, memories. Author James and MacKay states, “Relations between anterograde amnesia (AA) and retrograde amnesia (RA) have puzzled Neuropsychologists since Ribot (1882). Whereas all amnesia exhibit AA, that is, postmorbid deficits in representing, retrieving or consolidating new information only some amnesics exhibits the poorly understood phenomenon of RA defined here as long-term deficits in representing or retrieving information acquired years and sometimes decades before the amnesia causing trauma.” (James & MacKay, 2001) Causes are also due to psychological abuse, meaning something is preventing the adaptation in creating new memories. To understand it better as for why it's important to differentiate the two top common types amnesia is that the “Difference between AA and RA have challenged theories under which the hippocampus encodes and stores concepts and events as they unfold in the fleeting present while simultaneously consolidating thousands and perhaps millions of autobiographical details across the life span… RA is often “patchy” (with “islands” of intact memory for salient episodes), and varies with the particular amnesiac, type of memory, and time since trauma.” (James & MacKay, 2001) The quote highlights that the severity and patterns of memory loss can differ among individuals with retrograde amnesia. Making it a nuanced and delicate condition. Concluding these are the causes and effects when having anterograde amnesia. 
     Transient global amnesia is a short temporary shut down in the brain that can't recall a quick portion of your time. Usually, the memory function will be restored in 24 hrs, but you won't be able to recall recent memories during those shutdowns. Meaning that the amnesia are caused from episodes, TGA mimics like seizures/TEA, stroke, atypical migraine, head injury, medication side effects, etc. The article is based on a study on “ 11 patients with transient global amnesia (TGA) and ten patients with functional retrograde amnesia  (FRA)., concluding, “ Our data indicate that patients with  uniform, consistent clinical picture. The relatively isolated amnesic syndrome suddenly persists for 4-12 h, and then improves clinically to essentially normal o 12-24 h. During the episode, neuropsychology reveals that the patients have severe Antero for verbal and non-verbal matters.” (Kazui, 1996) Many amnesias are all related to one another but looking at it closer will show the long/short term effects and how common the causes are.
     Drug-induced amnesia refers to the use of medications or substances that can cause temporary or permanent loss of memory. Affecting an individual's ability to recall past events or form new memories. Certain studies aim to understand how certain substances can impact memory function. For example, “Studying drug-induced amnesia may reduce or eliminate the limitations associated with studies of neurological patients and studies of normal subjects by temporarily impairing memory in a fashion that is analogous to the permanent deficits observed in organic amnesia.” (Polster, 1993) Studies like these are what answers will get cleared . Yet it's known that one can trigger this amnesia from abuse in alcohol or drugs. Even perspirations have triggered amnesia when used correctly. If those perception drugs are used wrong and or abused amnesia can become severe. As, “There have been 12 cases since 2012 where individuals experienced long-term blackouts, or drug-induced amnesia, for up to a year after using prescription painkillers and narcotics. ” (Interactive, 2023) In summary, research on drug-induced amnesia serves as a valuable addition to traditional patient studies. Which uncovers new knowledge in dissociation and the underlying neurochemical processes involved in memory.

Society perception on Amnesia 

     Society's perception and understanding of amnesia can be influenced by entertainment sources such as television, movies, cartoons, and similar media, which often portray the condition in exaggerated or stereotypical ways. For example the famous movie Finding Dory where Dory ironically is a fish who holds a 5 second memory span. Stating she has short term memory loss. The movie is a great example of how difficult and stressful it can be for someone with amnesia. Anterograde amnesia was later seen on what she has since she did remember she did lose her parents when she was younger but she can’t make new memories. Although it is much more serious than what the movie shows. Amnesia also is a common side effect overall to other mental health diseases. For example, Dhamecha Alzheimer's, “Brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, eventually destroying memory and other important mental functions. Memory loss and confusion are the main symptoms. No cure exists, but medications and management strategies may temporarily improve symptoms.”(Arlene , 2021) Memory loss and cognitive decline occurs when brain cells and their connections deteriorate and die. Therefore having a clear separation with reality and entertainment sources upon serious topics like amnesia is something to consider.

Conclusion

     Amnesia affects a wide range of people, with the unclarity of why exactly it occurs to them. As said, amnesia can range in the inability to retrace memory from the past and/or store new memories. Not only as to why it's caused, stress, injury, genetics, illness, drugs. Amnesia attacks the brain and may make it permanent or temporary. Although there is no cure, temporary symptom improvement can be achieved through medications and management strategies. Understanding the neurochemical processes and the effects of drugs on amnesia. It is important to distinguish between entertainment portrayals and the reality of amnesia for accurate awareness and support. Therefore this research aimed to grasp into the complexity of amnesia, exploring its causes, symptoms, and impact on individuals' lives.

Work cited

Anatomy of the brain. Anatomy of the Brain – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=85&ContentID=P00773#:~:text=The%20brain%20is%20an%20important,process%20that%20regulates%20our%20body.

Armitage, H. (2020, July 8). Dory’s real short-term memory loss condition explained. ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/finding-dory-movie-short-term-memory-loss-explained/ 

Interactive, B. (2023, February 20). What to know about drug-induced amnesia: Muse treatment center. Muse Treatment. https://musetreatment.com/blog/what-is-drug-induced-amnesia-things-you-should-know/ 

James, L. E., & MacKay, D. G. (2001). H.M., word knowledge, and aging: Upport for a new theory of long-term retrograde amnesia. Psychological Science, 12(6), 485–492. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00390

Kazui, H. (1996). Retrograde amnesia during Transient global amnesia. Neurocase, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/neucas/2.2.127-a

Pappas, S. (2022, September 27). How does the Brain Store Memories? LiveScience. 

Polster. (1993). Drug-Induced Amnesia: Implications for Cognitive Neuropsychological Investigations of Memory. Psychological Bulletin, 114(3), 477–493.  https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.114.3.477 

Psychiatric Evaluations: Medication Management: Tampa FL. Arlene MD. (2021, April 9).https://arlenemd.com/services/#:~:text=Dementias%20(Alzheimer),and%20other%20important%20mental%20functions. 

Roy, D. S., Muralidhar, S., Smith, L. M., & Tonegawa, S. (2017). Silent memory engrams as the basis for retrograde amnesia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(46). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1714248114