Puzzling thoughts for H. M.: can new semantic information be anchored to old semantic memories?
Abstract
Researchers currently debate whether new semantic knowledge can be learned and retrieved
despite extensive damage to medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures. The authors explored
whether H. M., a patient with amnesia, could acquire new semantic information in the
context of his lifelong hobby of solving crossword puzzles. First, H. M. was tested
on a series of word-skills tests believed important in solving crosswords. He also
completed 3 new crosswords: 1 puzzle testing pre-1953 knowledge, another testing post-1953
knowledge, and another combining the 2 by giving postoperative semantic clues for
preoperative answers. From the results, the authors concluded that H. M. can acquire
new semantic knowledge, at least temporarily, when he can anchor it to mental representations
established preoperatively.
Type
Journal articleSubject
AgedAmnesia
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Memory
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Problem Solving
Reference Values
Retrospective Studies
Semantics
Temporal Lobe
Time Factors
Verbal Learning
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/10113Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1037/0894-4105.18.4.756Publication Info
Corkin, S; Einstein, G; Kensinger, EA; Krendl, A; Locascio, JJ; Rubin, David C; ...
Tupler, LA (2004). Puzzling thoughts for H. M.: can new semantic information be anchored to old semantic
memories?. Neuropsychology, 18(4). pp. 756-769. 10.1037/0894-4105.18.4.756. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/10113.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
David C. Rubin
Juanita M. Kreps Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
For .pdfs of all publications click here My main research interest has been in
long-term memory, especially for complex (or "real-world") stimuli. This work includes
the study of autobiographical memory
Larry A. Tupler
Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
My principal research interest concerns brain-behavior relationships, both in normals
and in psychiatric populations. Methods of study include magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), neuropsychological investigations, psychopharmacological
studies, cognitive-science paradigms, and methodological inquiries. More specifically,
topics of interest include lesion and morphometric studies of discrete brain regions
as they relate to cognitive and ot
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