The mnestic block syndrome: Environmentally induced amnesia

Markowitsch HJ. The mnestic block syndrome: Environmentally induced amnesia. NEUROLOGY PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN RESEARCH. 1998;6(2):73-80.Memory disturbances belong to the most common concomitants of various forms of brain damage. During the last years it became established that there are varying relations between certain forms and etiologies of brain damage and impaired versus preserved memory domains. Nevertheless the dominant view in brain research is that a measurable damage of neuronal tissue has to be present in cases with persisting forms of amnesia. This view is challenged by recent data on patients with minor brain or skull damage, other forms of traumatic influences on the body, or psychic alterations due to pure (aversive) environmental stimulation. The presently available reports on this principally psychogenic forms of amnesia are listed and discussed