Multiple memory systems: evidence from stroke.
In this report, we describe the "fractionation of memory systems" in a 62-yr.-old woman following a left anterior stroke. Despite the presence of a significant, persistent declarative memory (verbal learning) deficit, this patient exhibited relatively intact procedural learning. The latter was manifested over a 4-day period by improved performance on a maze task executed under "mirror-tracing" conditions. By the final set of trials, the patient's performance approximated that of a normal control subject with respect to speed, although not errors. The selective preservation of particular learning abilities in brain-damaged patients has implications for rehabilitative interventions.
D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012691:Serial Learning; D014706:Verbal Learning