Recent Memory Impairment in Unilateral Temporal Lesions

Abstract

Introduction In recent years a physicochemical basis for neuronal memory patterns has been hypothesized on the basis of intracellular reversible protoplasmic reactions.¹⁰This thesis explains satisfactorily the perception of sensory phenomena in the primary cortical areas. However, there is increasing evidence that many perceptual analyses are formulated in cortical or subcortical neuronal circuits other than primary sensory centers. One of these cellular constellations important in certain memory processes would seem to be related to the temporal lobe. This has been demonstrated both in experimental animals and in man. Recent experimental studies in monkeys have revealed defects in visual discrimination due to damage to the inferior temporal cortex. This deficit is greater in visual learning than in retention of old visual habits, a finding which might be construed as representing an impairment in visual recent memory.¹ In man, the evidence that the temporal lobe plays an important role in