PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Background: Stress and trauma experiences may influence memory selectively and persistently. The question arises whether these environmentally induced memory disturbances manifest themselves on the brain level and whether they can be traced down to anatomical and biochemical levels. Objective: In this review it is asked whether there are correlates for environmentally induced memory disturbances and what kind of possibilities exist for their diagnosis and possible treatment. Method: After introducing currently discussed memory systems and divisions, results and interpretations of studies on memory disturbances caused by psychic alterations are screened and analyzed. Results: A considerable number of studies were obtained which fitted criteria and in part of which neuroanatomical correlates for environmentally-induced memory disturbances were reported. Conclusions: It is emphasized that the traditional dichotomy between organic-neurological and psychiatric-psychogenic illnesses can no longer be retained, that amnesias can be of selective nature, and that correlations between stress and trauma states and modified steroid release in the brain level (glucocorticoids) are likely. It is proposed to term the selective memory disturbances found in cases with functional amnesia "mnestic block syndrome." This preliminary labeling is differentiated from other dissociative and conversion reactions as well as from depressive conditions.