Parkin's book is separated into three segments, although the author identifies only two. The three are (1) Nature of Memory, (2) Organic Memory Disorders, and (3) Transient and Psychogenic Disorders of Memory. The author is fairly easy to read and uses a building block method of transferring information to the reader. Ample examples within the headings of organic and psychogenic memory disorders are referenced as applicable to the models, theory and nature of memory. Parkin also appears to give a critical/unbiased assessment concerning the pros and cons of memory theories, research data and memory assessment tools.

Nature of Memory chapters cover such topics as Multistore models of memory. (The organization of memory pertaining to roles of sensory store, short term store and long term store. [Atkinson, Shiffrin, 1968]). Mention is also made of Hebbs (1949) theories of consolidation involving neuro-transmitters as a means of permanent trace memory in the transfer of information from short term memory (STM) to long term memory (LTM). Tulving's classification of LTM into episodic (storage of 'autobiograhical' memory of events of our lives) and semantic (general knowledge of language, rules, concepts, world [pg 18]) is discussed. Parkin believes Tulving's 2 part long term memory model is tripartite which adds procedural memory to that of semantic and episodic. Procedural memory is that which cannot be accessed consciously, i.e. like riding a bike, we can only give superficial explanation of the process [pg 18]. Craik & Lockhart (1972) theorized on the processing of new information and ability to retain it. Their model of 'levels of processing' was theorized to contain a central processor which takes input and further breaks the data down for storage. Example was with verbal memory being funneled into orthographic, phonological and semantic storage. Baddeley & Hitch (1974) used a working model of memory which included Tulving's tripartite model and added two peripheral storage systems to the short term memory store, visio-spatial scratch pad (receiving and manipulating visual images) and articulatory loop (a limited capacity structure capable of holding small amounts of phonological information [pg 28]).

Theories of retrieval process were based on a significant amount of research involving "recall", "cued recall" and "recognition". I found state dependent learning, emotion and memory the most interesting. Parkin's coverage of hypnosis and memory was quite plausible, specifically the suggestibility of hypnosis in relation to reliable retrieval.

Organic disorders of the brain affecting memory was extensive compared to the 187 pages of this book. The majority of research in this portion of the field is a result of research with patients having Korsakoff's Syndrome and variations of it.

Parkin made considerable effort to inform the reader of variations in anterograde and retrograde memory involving patients with different forms of organic amnesia. The author also laments that as a result of comparisons to "normal" brain functioning of memory, not enough is researched concerning the effects of disorders on the various portions of the brain. (i.e. hippocampus, mamillary bodies and fornix in memory trace, the limbic system possibly being a 'memory' circuit; and diencephalon amnesia involving the temporal lope vs Korsakoff symptoms showing similar effects but arising for different reasons [pg 108]). He feels the analogy to "normal" function does not allow for individual differences of patients with brain disorders and suspects that these differences cloud the research issues of how memory operates.

Transient Memory Disorders covered were post-traumatic amnesia (not to be confused as Post traumatic Stress Disorder), effects of ECT on memory, including improvements made since the pre 1960 period, and drug induced amnesia. Differences of adverse effects to STM and LTM were discussed. While of interest, I did not feel this portion was as relevant as other areas for my study.

Psychogenic Disorders of Memory were more interesting but not covered in as much detail as I would have liked. There were explanations of how the amnesia symptoms manifest themselves in Hysterical amnesia, Fugue, Multiple Personality, and Pseudodementia (symptoms similar to dementia but no evidence of brain dysfunction). Of particular interest to me were segments on amnesia and crime related to the legal system. This area was descriptive of malingering vs actual amnesia and made mention of amnesia as a defense for acquittal. Also interesting was references to Infantile Amnesia. "It was noted that memory thought to be absent in infants is similar to the type of deficit found in the amnesic syndrome. The similarity is in the difficulty of infants to record specific events during early development. The ability to remember events begins to emerge around 10 months [Schacter and Moscovitch, 1984], whereas the infantile amnesic period covers at least the first three years."(pg 170). Based on the previous reading of earlier chapters, and a later reference to imagery techniques used with amnesia patients to improve memory (pg 178), I would be curious to know if memory impairment in some cases causes the system to revert to more primitive and early developmental strategies for memory storage. John Allan, in a workshop at the Jung Institute which I attended, related a very convincing case history of a 5 year old child's very specific repetitive movements indicative of sensation memory. After several years of being unable to find a reason for the repetitions, it was verified that the child was imitating a type of abuse he suffered at age 10 or 11 months.

Under the heading of Remediation, of interest was work done by McEntee and Mair (1978) (1980) involving noradrenergic activity in Korsakoff patients. This study related memory impairment to levels of norepinephrine depletion. Work with AD patients has identified low levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). It is hoped that along these lines a drug will be found that enhances the operation of M1 receptors, but not M2. (pg 185-189).