How Does Amnesia Work?

[Vivvav]

This is just something I've been wondering:
If amnesia is supposed to take away all of your memories, do you forget how to walk and talk too, or are those functions just so second nature to you by now that it doesn't make a difference?

 

[Jharry5]

I can't remember...
[/predictable joke]

I'm not an expert, but I think it affects the memory part of the brain instead of motor skills and the like. But like I said, I'm no expert...

 

[black lincon]

It takes away memories not motor skills. Do you remember learning to breath? No you don't because its permanently engraved in your mind, the only way you can get rid of it is by dieing.
EDIT: ninga'd

 

[darkless]

No amnesia does no affect motor skills becuase these arent controlled by memory they are instinct, and as for how it works it depends on severity some types of amnesia are reversible some types only take bits and pieces of your memory and some types can wipe out your entire life, But again i say motor skills are more instinct and as such remain unaffected.

 

[Labyrinth]

To my knowledge, some amnesia works in much the same way that loss of motor function does, if only in a different part of the brain. Tissue death can cause incurable amnesia, as in what would occur during a stroke, brain trauma and the like. Prions (wonderful little things that they are) can cause incredible damage to neural pathways. This is seen in diseases such as Mad Cow, and also affects the memory pathways when it gets into human.

Other forms of amnesia are created by psychological barriers. It is entirely possible for the mind to repress memories, lock them away in the subconscious where they become inaccessible to the conscious mind. This is often taken to be a survival trait as traumatic experiences can cause problems such as psychological disorders and the like.

 

[rokudan]

walking and breathing are genetic memories. They are programmed into our DNA for survival.

 

[Knight Templar]

To my knowledge, some amnesia works in much the same way that loss of motor function does, if only in a different part of the brain. Tissue death can cause incurable amnesia, as in what would occur during a stroke, brain trauma and the like. Prions (wonderful little things that they are) can cause incredible damage to neural pathways. This is seen in diseases such as Mad Cow, and also affects the memory pathways when it gets into human.

Other forms of amnesia are created by psychological barriers. It is entirely possible for the mind to repress memories, lock them away in the subconscious where they become inaccessible to the conscious mind. This is often taken to be a survival trait as traumatic experiences can cause problems such as psychological disorders and the like.

Well put.

 

[Double-O]

This is just something I've been wondering:
If amnesia is supposed to take away all of your memories, do you forget how to walk and talk too, or are those functions just so second nature to you by now that it doesn't make a difference?

different parts of the brain are responsible for many different functions. different parts of the brain are responsible for short, medium and long term memory respectively, and other parts for voluntary and involuntary motor actions, so it depends entirely on which part of the brain is damaged.

 

[hypothetical fact]

walking and breathing are genetic memories. They are programmed into our DNA for survival.

There is no such thing as a genetic memory, we have instincts but those are also in our head. Walking is not in the same boat as breathing because babies are born able to breathe but must develop knees and be coaxed into walking.

 

[Labyrinth]

Well put.

Thank you. I do try on occasion.