Memory loss emotions remain

Although people with amnesia (loss of memory) can not remember any experiences, feelings are retained for a longer time.

Although people with a memory loss (amnesia) can no longer remember the experiences, the feelings are retained. A US study has now revealed how this relationship works. So far, it was assumed that in memory loss, the memory dwindle, the emotions remain, but gradually also disappear. Feelings and experiences, so the assumption, are inseparable. Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder react with their partly traumatic experiences based on their traumatic experiences. But what happens when the memory no longer exists? The experienced feelings remain in the memory?

Five patients with hippocampal damage were observed in the study. Patients with hippocampal damage suffer from the fact that short-term memory no longer transports brain experiences to long-term memory. The result is, patients with amnesia can not remember after a short time. This form of amnesia is similar to the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Each of the five subjects was shown a short film, one was sad, the other a bit funny. After 10 minutes the participants were asked about the contents of the film. But the neurologically ill patients could not remember the content of the film. Other participants, who had a healthy memory, could remember at least 30 details of the film. After the film was over, the participants were also asked about their emotions. It became obvious that feelings were even more present after the film. Sad emotions were much more present than happy emotions. These two emotions also outlasted the memories of the film. In two amnesia patients, the emotions were even maintained much longer, than the healthy.

Study leader Justin Feinstein of the University of Iowa explains: "A visit or phone call from family members can have a lasting positive effect on the patient's happiness, even if he quickly forgets the call or visit.".

Family members and friends of patients should provide a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. The results of the study also show that Alzheimer's patients benefit from positive emotions. Experienced emotions do not disappear in contrast to the memory of the experience. (sb, 14.04.2010)

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