My life story: self-defining memories in Korsakoff syndrome

Self-defining memories are emotionally intense memories that help people define who they are. While such memories play a central role in self-concept and emotional well-being, little is known about how they are affected in Korsakoff's syndrome (KS).

We invited patients with KS and healthy control participants to retrieve self-defining memories, which were then analysed for specificity (specific vs. general events), emotional valence (positive vs. negative) and integration of meaning (whether the memory was connected to a broader understanding of the self or life experience).

The analysis demonstrated no significant differences between patients with KS and controls in terms of specificity. However, compared with control participants, patients with KS produced more negative and non-integrated self-defining memories. Within-groups comparisons demonstrated more specific than general self-defining memories in patients with KS and control participants. These memories were mainly negative in patients with KS and positive in control participants, non-integrated in patients with KS but integrated in control participants.

These findings demonstrate no difficulties in patients with KS to retrieve specific self-defining memories; however, these memories seem to be mainly related to negative events and enduring concerns or unresolved conflicts.