Fractionating controlled memory processes and recall of context in recognition memory: a case report

Abstract

Recollection has been described both as a recognition memory judgement requiring cognitive control and the ability to retrieve contextual information about a prior occurrence. At the core of this article is the question whether or not these two subcomponents of recollection are dissociable in amnesia. In three experiments, we explored the influence of exclusion task instructions on performance in a single case (CJ), with the view to understand the relative contributions of control and source memory to recognition memory decisions. First, contrasting findings were obtained between tasks requiring strategic control or source reports. Second, even though CJ displayed some residual source memory relative to the ability to strategically control this information, his source memory capacity was time-limited. Our findings resonate with the novel proposal that recollection draws heavily upon working memory resources, and provide an example of how amnesic patients might utilise residual working memory capacity to solve episodic memory tasks.

Retained ability to extract gist in childhood-acquired amnesia: Insights from a single case

“…His performance is beyond what could be explained by normative immaturity of monitoring abilities and is therefore most likely a consequence of his brain injury affecting prefrontal regions. Related to this, we have shown elsewhere that CJ has particular difficulty with adopting the recall-to-reject strategy even if there is sufficient source information available to support such decisions (Pauly-Takacs & Moulin, 2017).…”

“…At the time of this study, CJ was a 15-year-old childhood brain tumor survivor whose case history has been reported elsewhere in detail (see Pauly-Takacs, Moulin & Estlin, 2011Pauly-Takacs & Moulin, 2017). In brief, he was diagnosed with and successfully treated for a metastasized primary suprasellar germinoma at the age of 11 years.…”