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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotional Autobiographical Recollection
Published on: August 26, 2011
Autobiographical memory deficits in patients with depression follow a temporal distribution
Sarah V Biedermann1, Traute Demirakca2, Alexander Sartorius3
1Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg, Eppendorf, Germany.
Abstract:
Autobiographical memory deficits are known in depression. The temporal distribution thereof across periods of life has rarely been considered yet. Autobiographical memories for 5 life periods were investigated in 27 depressed in-patients and compared to 31 matched healthy controls using the Bielefelder Autobiographisches Gedächtnis Inventar. Depressed patients reported significantly less details in memories dating from childhood to 30 years, correlating with severity of depression. Memories from childhood and recent periods were less positive in depressed patients. Thus, we found a distinct pattern of autobiographical memory deficits in depressed patients. Possible etiological factors, however, need further investigations.
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