Amnesia: Case Study and Cognitive Theory

The following report highlights a case study of an individual suffering from amnesia followed by establishment of associations with cognitive theories and concluding with treatment possibilities of the same.

Running head: AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
AMNESIA: CASES STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
Executive Summary
The optimum functioning of memory and cognition is imperative for the conductance of
adequate life sustaining and retention activities of a concerned individual. Amnesia is a
debilitating cognitive condition characterized by distortions and degradations with respect to a
person’s memory. Cognitive theories are essential frameworks utilized for understanding key
aspects pertaining to the learning and understanding functions of the brain, further paving the
way for future treatment of associated disorders. The following report highlights a case study of
an individual suffering from amnesia followed by establishment of associations with cognitive
theories and concluding with treatment possibilities of the same.

2AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Discussion............................................................................................................................3
Case Study.......................................................................................................................3
Description.......................................................................................................................4
Cognitive Theory.............................................................................................................5
Social Cognitive Theory..............................................................................................6
Cognitive Behavioral Theory......................................................................................7
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................8
References............................................................................................................................9

3AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
Introduction
The faulty cognitive characteristics of ‘Amnesia’ are highlighted by a loss in memory,
due to occurrences such as trauma at a psychological platform, damage to the brain or the
emergence of any disorder pertaining to the brain (Clark & Maguire, 2016). The following
paragraphs shed light on the key aspects of amnesia and cognitive theory, concerning a case
study of a 60 year old woman. This is followed by an extensive discussion of the key aspects
pertaining to the occurrences of amnesia, followed by elaborate discussion of the salient signs
and symptoms pertaining to the same. The case study is then associated with relative cognitive
theories of development for extensive understanding of the disease condition, further paving the
way for possibilities of future treatment.
Discussion
The following paragraphs highlights the salient features pertaining to the case study,
description of the disease and the associated cognitive theory.
Case Study
The following case scenario, is that of a woman, aged 60 years old, who was admitted to
the hospital upon complaints of symptoms of retrograde type amnesia, occurring suddenly,
where she was unable to recall occurrences of events pertaining to the previous day. Upon
examination, there were also reported symptoms indicating severe amnesia of the anterograde
type. The symptoms emerged when the concerned patient continuously questioned her brother
concerning the date and the activities of the day, despite performance of usual housework
commencing after breakfast. The onset of her reported symptoms commenced during her

4AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
performance of regular household duties, precisely after the conductance of a computer
tomography scan of her abdominal region. The patient also reported of symptoms pertaining to
fluctuating occurrences of headaches lasting for three-quarters of an hour. The patient also has a
previous medical history indicated occurrences of embolic stroke, fibrillation of the arteries and
occlusion in the arteries of the retina. Upon conductance of a computer tomography scan of the
head, the occurrences of calcifications of scattered intraparenchymal nature, further resembling
the characteristics of old neurocysticercosis. Conductance of magnetic resonance image scanning
of the brain of the concerned patient, presented lesions in the unilateral region of the fornix.
Upon analysis of the outlined symptoms and assessment of clinical reports, the patient was
diagnosed with transient global amnesia. However upon medical administrations of
pharmacological substances such as atorvastatin and aspirin, upon suspicion stroke occurrences,
the magnitude of her symptoms showed gradual reductions, followed by complete absence of her
symptoms when evaluated after one month for the purpose of follow up examinations. Hence,
with respect to the treatment and recovery highlights of the concerned patient, it can be stated
that the symptoms of transient global amnesia can occur due to lesions in the brain, which can
further be alleviated through conventional care (Gupta et al., 2015).
Description
One of the primary functions of the brain pertaining to the conductance of cognitive
activities and understanding is ‘memory’, which is characterized by the retention of processes
related to learning strategies, followed by the storage and retention of the same for future life
performances (Hu et al., 2016). Amnesia, is characterized a debilitating disorder of the brain,
pertaining to the retention of memory. Amnesia is highlighted primarily by the degradation of
existing memory, which can be caused due to occurrences such as damage to the brain, infliction

5AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
to any particularly disease or the presence of any psychological trauma (Hicks et al., 2017). The
symptoms pertaining to the occurrences of the amnesia, can also be inflicted due to the ingestion
of certain drugs concerned with sedation and hypnosis. With respect to the magnitude of the
distortion and damage incurred, the memory of the concerned patient may be lost completely or
partially (Noël et al., 2017). The symptoms of amnesia can be classified into two categories,
namely retrograde type and anterograde type of amnesia. The occurrences of retrograde amnesia
are characterized by the reduction of memory pertaining to the prior to the occurrences of any
specific operative incident, trauma, date or injury. The characteristics of anterograde amnesia are
highlighted by a loss in the ability of the patient to transfer information to long term memory,
acquired from short term memory stores (Kwan, Kurczek & Rosenbaum, 2016). Minute
fragments of information which are gathered to conduct immediate activities, pertain to short
term memory. Long term memory is responsible for information storage for long often
permanent lengths of time. Distortions in the hippocampus or the medial temporal lobe of the
brain, are often the causative factors behind amnesia. While the symptoms of amnesia often
reduce on their own without treatment, several procedures can be utilized by the patient for the
same, such as usage of cognitive theory and even occupational theory (Isahaya et al., 2017).
Cognitive Theory
In order to understand the occurrences of amnesia, we can utilize the frameworks
highlighted by cognitive learning theory, which highlight the various external and internal
factors present in the brain for the purpose of retaining information for conductance of learning
and cognition (Stacey et al., 2015).

6AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
Social Cognitive Theory
One of the major types of cognitive theory, is social cognitive theory of learning and
memory. This theory is highlighted by the cooperative functioning of three factors pertaining to
the personal characteristics of the concerned patients such as level of understanding and
cognition, as well as physiological factors or possible alterations; factors pertaining to the
behavior of the concerned individual as well as the surrounding individuals, and finally, factors
pertaining to the various occurrences present in the environment (Cooper & Lu, 2016). With
respect to the case study highlighted above, we can attempt to link the cognition of the concerned
patient suffering from amnesia and the key features of the social cognitive theory. With respect
to interactions occurring between the individual and the environment, cognition, memory or
amnesia may be affected by the external factors such as stressful situations or climatic conditions
(Montano & Kasprzyk, 2015). However, with respect to the above patient, it can be seen that the
occurrences of lesions in the brain led to the incidences of amnesia. The resultant forgetfulness,
further was reflected in the behavioral characteristics of the patient, as per the theory, displaying
constant questioning and interaction with her brother. Further, based on the social cognitive
theory, it can be observed that the concerned patient’s behavior affected her surrounding
environment, as displayed in her difficulties in remembrance of the date and activities pertaining
to the household work. Hence, the highlighted case study of amnesia in a 60 year old woman,
can be associated with the social cognitive theory of learning and cognition.
Cognitive Behavioral Theory
The theory outlining cognitive behavioral aspects was formulated by Aron Beck. In
accordance to the concepts outlined in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the concerned
individual is dependent upon the factors pertaining to his or her cognition and understanding of

7AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
the world, which further behave as factors which determine and influence the behavioral
characteristics of the concerned individual (Creed et al., 2016). Hence, the cognitive and
understanding capabilities commence into the development by the individual in to an idea
pertaining to his or her personality, which further influence the behaviors performed by him or
her, for the successful conductance of activities. The nature of the idea concerning his or her
personality, so framed by the individual, may be highly demeaning or optimistic (Levy et al.,
2017). The cognitive behavioral theory is highlighted by the interplay of factors pertaining to the
self, the surrounding environment in the vicinity of the concerned individual, further followed by
concepts with regards to the nature of the possible occurrences in the near future. When the
concerned individual negatively considers oneself as a failure or incapable of performing any
duty, there is further disregard of the factors outlining the environment, where he or she views
the surroundings has equally negative and disappointing. Further, an emerging occurrences of
this leads to the consideration of the distant future as discouraging (Abramowitz & Arch, 2014).
With respect to the occurrences of amnesia as highlighted in the above case study, it can be seen
that through the loss of cognition in the concerned patient, she is unable to recall recent
memories resulting in a complete absence of judgment pertaining to the conductance household
activities, further escalating into the patient’s future as being devoid of any form of existential
knowledge and the required activities.
Hence, it can be observed that the theories pertaining to learning and cognition can be
utilized in associating the symptoms of amnesia. The utilization of effective cognitive learning
theories such as social cognitive as well as cognitive behavioral theory can further lead to the
beneficial implications pertaining to the treatment of the concerned individuals (Savage et al.,
2016). It have been documented that usage of cognitive behavioral theories may be used for the

8AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
treatment of patients concerned with amnesia, through usage of key words, specific images or
frequent checking of noted evidences highlighting required activities to be performed. These will
further aid in memory recollection and the resultant beneficial effects in behavioral and
environmental responses of the concerned patient (Beck & Haigh, 2014).
Conclusion
Hence, with respect to the case study highlighting amnesia, it can be concluded that the
concerned symptoms presented by the patient, can be associated with the salient features
pertaining to cognitive theories. Amnesia is a detrimental condition of the brain, which further
impacts essential cognitive functions such memory and retention of essential information, further
hampering the conductance of daily activities. Hence, while social cognitive theory highlights
the various personal, environmental and behavioral factors which have been impacted upon the
patient suffering from amnesia, the framework of cognitive behavioral theory highlights the key
aspects of patient behavior, affected by the presence of amnesiac conditions. The successful
association of patient symptoms to the theories of cognitive development, further aid in the
understanding as well the formulation of treatment procedures required for the same.

9AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
References
Abramowitz, J. S., & Arch, J. J. (2014). Strategies for improving long-term outcomes in
cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: insights from learning
theory. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 21(1), 20-31.
Beck, A. T., & Haigh, E. A. (2014). Advances in cognitive theory and therapy: the generic
cognitive model. Annual review of clinical psychology, 10, 1-24.
Clark, I. A., & Maguire, E. A. (2016). Remembering preservation in hippocampal
amnesia. Annual review of psychology, 67, 51-82.
Cooper, C., & Lu, L. (2016). Presenteeism as a global phenomenon: Unraveling the psychosocial
mechanisms from the perspective of social cognitive theory. Cross Cultural & Strategic
Management, 23(2), 216-231.
Creed, T. A., Wolk, C. B., Feinberg, B., Evans, A. C., & Beck, A. T. (2016). Beyond the label:
Relationship between community therapists’ self-report of a cognitive behavioral therapy
orientation and observed skills. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental
Health Services Research, 43(1), 36-43.
Gupta, M., Kantor, M. A., Tung, C. E., Zhang, N., & Albers, G. W. (2015). Transient global
amnesia associated with a unilateral infarction of the fornix: case report and review of the
literature. Frontiers in neurology, 5, 291.
Hicks, A. J., Clay, F. J., Hopwood, M., Jayaram, M., Batty, R., & Ponsford, J. L. (2017).
Efficacy and harms of pharmacological interventions for neurobehavioral symptoms in

10AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
post traumatic amnesia after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-
analysis protocol. JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation
reports, 15(12), 2890-2912.
Hu, J., Tang, H., Tan, K. C., & Li, H. (2016). How the brain formulates memory: A spatio-
temporal model research frontier. IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine, 11(2), 56-
68.
Isahaya, K., Shinohara, K., Akamatu, M., Shimizu, T., Sakurai, K., Shiraishi, M., ... &
Hasegawa, Y. (2017). Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Presenting with
Transient Global Amnesia. Internal Medicine, 56(12), 1569-1573.
Kwan, D., Kurczek, J., & Rosenbaum, R. S. (2016). Specific, personally meaningful cues can
benefit episodic prospection in medial temporal lobe amnesia. British Journal of Clinical
Psychology, 55(2), 137-153.
Levy, H. C., Worden, B. L., Gilliam, C. M., D’Urso, C., Steketee, G., Frost, R. O., & Tolin, D. F.
(2017). Changes in saving cognitions mediate hoarding symptom change in cognitive-
behavioral therapy for hoarding disorder. Journal of obsessive-compulsive and related
disorders, 14, 112-118.
Montano, D. E., & Kasprzyk, D. (2015). Theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behavior,
and the integrated behavioral model. Health behavior: Theory, research and practice, 95-
124.

11AMNESIA: CASE STUDY AND COGNITIVE THEORY
Noël, A., Quinette, P., Dayan, J., De La Sayette, V., Viader, F., Desgranges, B., ... & Eustache,
F. (2017). Influence of depressive symptoms on memory in transient global
amnesia. Journal of neuropsychology, 11(1), 108-121.
Savage, S. A., Butler, C. R., Hodges, J. R., & Zeman, A. Z. (2016). Transient Epileptic Amnesia
over twenty years: Long-term follow-up of a case series with three detailed
reports. Seizure, 43, 48-55.
Stacey, F. G., James, E. L., Chapman, K., Courneya, K. S., & Lubans, D. R. (2015). A
systematic review and meta-analysis of social cognitive theory-based physical activity
and/or nutrition behavior change interventions for cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer
Survivorship, 9(2), 305-338.