Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative Review
Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is an extremely rare phenomenon characterised by an exceptional ability to recall personal life events vividly. The present review article explores the unique characteristics of HSAM that distinguish it from other memory phenomena, such as mnemonics. Cu...
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JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
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| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20504/74525_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(JY_SHU)_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf |
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| author | Rohit Wani Bhagyesh Sapkale Supriya Meshram Sachin R Gedam |
| author_facet | Rohit Wani Bhagyesh Sapkale Supriya Meshram Sachin R Gedam |
| author_sort | Rohit Wani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is an extremely rare phenomenon characterised by an exceptional ability to recall personal life events vividly. The present review article explores the unique characteristics of HSAM that distinguish it from other memory phenomena, such as mnemonics. Currently listed on the global diagnosis list up to 2024, with only 62 documented cases, HSAM presents a fascinating cognitive and neurological complexity, including increased functional connectivity within some brain regions, particularly the left temporoparietal junction. Typically, individuals with HSAM exhibit very vivid recollections of both significant and mundane events, which they cannot control or intentionally suppress. The article also reviews some possible psychological and biological substrates of HSAM; among these, semantic processing and atypical neurodevelopment are of particular importance. The overlap between HSAM and conditions such as autism is also discussed, as they might share features such as compulsive fixations on dates and an inability to “get over” bad memories. While the mechanism by which certain treatments become effective for HSAM is poorly understood, the use of interventions such as deep brain stimulation or cognitive-behavioural therapy may be warranted. This review calls for more research, hoping to stimulate interest in therapeutic interventions designed for patients with HSAM, ultimately leading to a greater understanding of this intriguing cognitive phenomenon. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae22fc08128744f0b31f57b78b202f6b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2249-782X 0973-709X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae22fc08128744f0b31f57b78b202f6b2025-01-20T11:40:54ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-01-011901010410.7860/JCDR/2025/74525.20504Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative ReviewRohit Wani0Bhagyesh Sapkale1Supriya Meshram2Sachin R Gedam3Undergraduate Student, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.Undergraduate Student, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.Professor, Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is an extremely rare phenomenon characterised by an exceptional ability to recall personal life events vividly. The present review article explores the unique characteristics of HSAM that distinguish it from other memory phenomena, such as mnemonics. Currently listed on the global diagnosis list up to 2024, with only 62 documented cases, HSAM presents a fascinating cognitive and neurological complexity, including increased functional connectivity within some brain regions, particularly the left temporoparietal junction. Typically, individuals with HSAM exhibit very vivid recollections of both significant and mundane events, which they cannot control or intentionally suppress. The article also reviews some possible psychological and biological substrates of HSAM; among these, semantic processing and atypical neurodevelopment are of particular importance. The overlap between HSAM and conditions such as autism is also discussed, as they might share features such as compulsive fixations on dates and an inability to “get over” bad memories. While the mechanism by which certain treatments become effective for HSAM is poorly understood, the use of interventions such as deep brain stimulation or cognitive-behavioural therapy may be warranted. This review calls for more research, hoping to stimulate interest in therapeutic interventions designed for patients with HSAM, ultimately leading to a greater understanding of this intriguing cognitive phenomenon.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20504/74525_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(JY_SHU)_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdfcognitive neurosciencehyperthymesiamemory disordersmemory recallneuropsychologysynesthesia |
| spellingShingle | Rohit Wani Bhagyesh Sapkale Supriya Meshram Sachin R Gedam Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative Review Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research cognitive neuroscience hyperthymesia memory disorders memory recall neuropsychology synesthesia |
| title | Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Unravelling the Enigma of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Perspectives: A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | unravelling the enigma of highly superior autobiographical memory signs symptoms and treatment perspectives a narrative review |
| topic | cognitive neuroscience hyperthymesia memory disorders memory recall neuropsychology synesthesia |
| url | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20504/74525_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(JY_SHU)_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf |
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