Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T21:55:58.649Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Autobiographical memory in advanced multiple sclerosis: Assessment of episodic and personal semantic memory across three time spans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 November 2002

PAMELA M. KENEALY
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Surrey Roehampton, Whitelands College, West Hill, London, UK
J. GRAHAM BEAUMONT
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, West Hill, Putney, London, UK
TRACEY C. LINTERN
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, West Hill, Putney, London, UK
RACHEL C. MURRELL
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Surrey Roehampton, Whitelands College, West Hill, London, UK

Abstract

In order to investigate the status of remote memory the Autobiographical Memory Interview (AMI) was administered to 30 individuals with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). In contrast to earlier studies which have shown only mild deficits in autobiographical memory in those with less physical progression of the disease, about two-thirds (60%) of the present MS sample had a deficit in autobiographical memory. The presence of such a deficit was not related to age, age of onset, duration of illness, or level of physical disability, but was related to level of general cognitive ability. Memory for episodic autobiographical incidents was more affected than for personal semantic information; a temporal gradient typical of some dementing conditions but not before demonstrated in MS, was also observed with memory for more recent events showing a significant decline. (JINS, 2002, 8, 855–860.)

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 The International Neuropsychological Society

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)