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This article examines continuing misunderstanding about memory function especially for trauma, across three UK samples (N = 717). Delayed allegations of child sexual and physical abuse are prevalent in Western legal systems and often rely upon uncorroborated memory testimony to prove guilt. U.K. legal professionals and jurors typically assess the reliability of such memory recall via common sense, yet decades of scientific research show common sense beliefs often conflict with science. Recent international surveys show controversial notions of repression and accurate memory recovery remain strongly endorsed. In historical cases, these notions may lead to wrongful convictions. The current study surveyed the U.K. public, lawyers, and mental health professionals' beliefs about repression, dissociative amnesia and false memories. Study findings give unique data on judges' and barristers' beliefs. Overall, the study findings reinforce international scientists' concerns of a science – knowledge-gap. Repression was strongly endorsed by lay, legal and clinical participants (> 78%) as was dissociative amnesia (> 87%). Moreover, suboptimal professional legal education and juror guidance may increase misunderstanding. Correcting beliefs about memory function, and extending the contribution of memory science in the courtroom remains an important quest for cognitive scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent evidence suggests that anosognosia or unawareness of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) may be explained by a disconnection between brain regions involved in accessing and monitoring information regarding self and others. It has been demonstrated that AD patients with anosognosia have reduced connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and that anosognosia in people with prodromal AD is positively associated with bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), suggesting a possible role of this region in mechanisms of awareness in the early phase of disease. We hypothesized that anosognosia in AD is associated with an imbalance between the activity of large-scale resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) networks, in particular the DMN, the salience network (SN), and the frontoparietal network (FPN). Methods: Sixty patients with MCI and AD dementia underwent fMRI and neuropsychological assessment including the Anosognosia Questionnaire Dementia (AQ-D), a measure of anosognosia based on a discrepancy score between patient's and carer's judgments. After having applied Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to resting fMRI data we performed: (i) correlations between the AQ-D score and functional connectivity in the DMN, SN, and FPN, and (ii) comparisons between aware and unaware patients of the DMN, SN, and FPN functional connectivity. Results: We found that anosognosia was associated with (i) weak functional connectivity within the DMN, in posterior and middle cingulate cortex particularly, (ii) strong functional connectivity within the SN in ACC, and between the SN and basal ganglia, and (iii) a heterogenous effect concerning the functional connectivity of the FPN, with a weak connectivity between the FPN and PCC, and a strong connectivity between the FPN and ACC. The observed effects were controlled for differences in severity of cognitive impairment and age. Conclusion: Anosognosia in the AD continuum is associated with a dysregulation of the functional connectivity of three large-scale networks, namely the DMN, SN, and FPN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article utilises the developing research literatures on policy learning and memory, with particular focus on the interconnections between institutional amnesia and policy myopia, to analyse the lowering of the age of enfranchisement to 18 for all elections in the UK in 1969 and its resonance, or otherwise, in contemporary debates concerning 'Votes-at-16'. Political and public interest in voting age reform has intensified in recent years. There has, however, been a noticeable lack of interest from either advocates or those opposed to 'Votes-at-16' in the ground-breaking decision taken by the UK government in 1969 to lower the voting age to 18 and policy lessons resulting in this radical reform. The article provides an overview of the policy debates linked to the lowering of the voting age to 18 in the UK in 1969 and then explores its policy effects and potential policy learning available from the introduction of 'Votes-at-18'. It concludes that a lack of memory of past policy interventions such as lowering the voting age to 18 can be a product of both 'institutional amnesia' combined with intentional and unintentional forms of 'policy myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) is a form of adult‐onset epilepsy where presenting features are well described, but little is known regarding prognosis. This study aimed to elucidate the long‐term prognosis of TEA regarding seizure control, memory, medical comorbidities, and life expectancy. Methods: Up‐to‐date clinical information was collected for 47 people diagnosed with TEA who had joined the The Impairment of Memory in Epilepsy (TIME) study 10 years earlier. At entry to the study, information about comorbid conditions was systematically collected. Details regarding subsequent diagnoses, seizure activity, changes to treatment, or reports of cognitive impairment were obtained through the family doctor. The variables of interest were compared with UK population data. Results: Mortality in the cohort was 21 of 47 (45%), with an average age at death of 82.5 years. Seizures remained well controlled for the majority but medications required adjustments in dose and type for some (28%). A small number (three cases) remained seizure‐free without medication. History of cardiovascular disorders was frequent (78.7%), typically involving hypertension (55.3%). Autoimmune disorders (25.5%), cancer (23.4%), and depression (21.3%) were also commonly reported. Although persisting memory problems were often noted, dementia was diagnosed in seven cases (14.9%). Life expectancy and comorbidities in TEA did not differ from available population norms. Significance: Results suggest that life expectancy is not reduced in TEA. Although TEA does not appear to be a self‐limiting form of epilepsy, seizures are typically well controlled via medication. Because adjustments to medication may be required, even after long periods of stability, ongoing medical monitoring is recommended. Comorbid vascular disorders are frequent but appear similar to general population estimates. Monitoring mood may be important, given that people with chronic conditions are often vulnerable to depression. Because of persisting memory difficulties, the development of effective memory interventions for people with TEA is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A), is widely used as a measure of suggestibility to screen participants for research purposes. To date, there have been a number of normative studies of the HGSHS:A, the majority of which originate from Western countries. The outcomes of these Western studies are summarized, and variations in methodologies are described and discussed. Also reported are the psychometric properties of the HGSHS:A in a large contemporary United Kingdom (UK) sample. Overall, these UK results are consistent with the earlier Western norms studies in terms of response distribution and item difficulty, with only minor differences. The continued use of HGSHS:A as a screening procedure is supported, particularly if corrected for response subjectivity/involuntariness and with revised amnesia scoring. The HGSHS:A is also important as a potential measure of the broader trait of direct verbal suggestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rapidly ageing population and a predicted sevenfold increase in the prevalence of dementia in minority ethnic communities, people from these communities remain under-represented in specialist dementia services. Leventhal's Model of Self-Regulation suggests perceptions of illness facilitate help-seeking behaviours such as the use of services. This scoping exercise makes use of the model to explore perceptions of dementia in British Indian, African and Caribbean, and East and Central European communities in the United Kingdom. Between August 2013 and April 2014, culturally specific dementia awareness roadshows were attended by people living with dementia, carers and members of the public. During the roadshows, 62 British Indian, 50 African and Caribbean, and 63 East and Central European attenders participated in discussion groups and a dementia knowledge quiz. Thematic and framework analysis were conducted on the discussion group data. Three main themes are presented: Perceptions of dementia, awareness of dementia in the wider family and community, and awareness and use of services. The findings suggest that although groups attributed a biological basis for memory loss, a number of misconceptions prevailed regarding the cause of dementia. Groups also made use of religion, as opposed to medical healthcare services, as a form of personal and treatment control. Seeking help from healthcare services was hindered by lack of awareness of services, and culturally specific barriers such as language. The findings have a number of implications for policy and practice including the development of public health interventions and the need to focus further on reducing barriers to accessing services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify new treatment targets in order to develop more empirically informed initiatives to prevent sexual revictimization. A retrospective Web-based survey employing a mixed-methods design attracted a self-selecting sample of 481 community respondents, 183 of whom indicated a history of childhood sexual abuse. Seventy-four percent were females whose ages ranged from 16 to 69 years (mean = 31.2 years).Betrayal traumareferred to CSA committed by a trusted perpetrator (often caregivers). Disclosure experiences in childhood were reported though open-dialogue boxes.Double betrayalreferred to high-betrayal trauma being combined with a negative response to a disclosure. This was associated with both higher incidences of prior psychogenic amnesia for CSA and sexual revictimization in later life. The findings have implications for educating the guardians of children about the prevalence and implications of CSA as well as the importance of early recognition and appropriate responding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent attempts to assess the practical impact of scientific research prompted my own reflections on over 40 years worth of combining basic and applied cognitive psychology. Examples are drawn principally from the study of memory disorders, but also include applications to the assessment of attention, reading, and intelligence. The most striking conclusion concerns the many years it typically takes to go from an initial study, to the final practical outcome. Although the complexity and sheer timescale involved make external evaluation problematic, the combination of practical satisfaction and theoretical stimulation make the attempt to combine basic and applied research very rewarding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical amnesia besets the consensus that Britain faces an unprecedented ‘crisis of childhood’, and of child well-being. Drawing on evidence about changing uses of instruments and measures of well-being over time, this article explores and critiques claims about historical change and trends over time that are central to the imagined crisis of childhood in both diagnostic and therapeutic terms. It argues that diagnostic labels about the state of children’s well-being arising from changing methodologies and measures, and the therapeutic and pedagogical models they create, cannot be isolated from social conditions. This means that claims about a crisis of childhood, and the kinds of interventions that follow, require critical debate and cautious application. In the current climate of crisis, however, such reflection and debate are notable only by their absence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: To examine the relative contribution of attention and memory to orientation/disorientation following moderate-to-severe brain injury. It was hypothesized that attention would be a comparable contributor to orientation, compared to memory; suggesting assessing attention has a role in understanding and estimating duration of post-traumatic amnesia. Research design: One hundred and five brain-injured inpatients were divided into three groups of high, moderate or low orientation. ANOVA was run on attention, memory and (as a control) language scores to examine group differences. Correlational analysis was run between orientation items and attention and memory indexes to examine the relative contribution of attention and memory on specific orientation item performance. Multiple regression examined the contribution of memory and attention to being oriented. Methods and pocedures: Patients'' orientation, attention, memory and language were assessed during their inpatient rehabilitation. Main outcomes and results: Groups differed significantly and attention recovered more sharply between low and moderate orientation states compared to memory and language recovery. Memory contributed most to orientation, followed closely by attention, both surpassing language. Attention most related to temporal estimation, while memory most related to retrieval of well-consolidated memories. Conclusions: Attention contributes significantly to orientation, although to a slightly lesser degree than memory. Attention should be assessed routinely. The relative ''load'' and contribution of attention to orientation and answering orientation-type questions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amnesia for criminal offences has long been recognized as a common phenomenon although there have been few large-scale studies examining factors associated with amnesia and even fewer which have examined follow-up information. This study was based on a retrospective investigation of case-notes of all those sentenced to life imprisonment in England and Wales in 1994. Data were available for 89% (N = 207). The aims were (1) to determine the rate of amnesia for serious offences in this sample, (2) to identify any features of the offender, the offence, or the victim associated with amnesia, and (3) to determine the frequency with which memory recovers over a 3-year period. There were 29% of the total sample that claimed amnesia for their offence. Such a claim was associated particularly with a history of alcohol abuse, previous blackouts, previous psychiatric disorder and crimes of passion. Amnesia had significant associations at trial, those claiming amnesia being more likely to undergo thorough psychiatric assessment pre-trial and to use different defences. At 3 years post conviction, only 33% of the amnesic sample were reported to have complete recovery of their memories, 26% had partial return of memories, and 41% had no return of memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the clinical research in Great Britain and its impact to neurologist. He cites the issue on the journal "Practical Neurology" regarding the importance of high quality clinical research on transient epileptic amnesia and cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. He also mentions several issues on Great Britain's clinical research which affect neurologists including the poor research funding and the decrease of the number of academic clinicians in Great Britain.

The article discusses the case of a 38-year-old British soldier assigned in Germany who lost his capacity to create new memories after undergoing a regular root canal treatment in March 2005.

The article discusses the prevalence of dementia patients in Great Britain in 2011 and an increase in the diagnosis of dementia which is expected in Great Britain by 2021. A discussion of the signs and symptoms, including amnesia, aphasia and apraxia, that are commonly found in patients with the form of dementia called Alzheimer's disease, is presented.