A review of highly superior autobiographical memory

Abstract

In this article, highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) was examined as a prominent ability that taking attention in recent years and providing crucial information about functioning of autobiographical memory and it was aimed to make a general review based on results of studies. HSAM refers to automatically, uncontrollably and extraordinarily remembering of personal and public experiences, information, dates without any use of memory strategies. HSAM is also known as hyperthymestic syndrome from the word thymesis in Greek which means remembering. HSAM individuals remember personal and public events extremely detailed than those in the control group while they show similar performance to them in other memory tasks (such as, digit span, word-paired memory). HSAM cases are considered to be different from other superior memory cases because they do not use any mnemonic techniques and do not have savant syndrome characteristics. In the results of behavioral and neuroanatomical studies it was postulated that HSAM and OCD could a common underlying mechanism but no definitive conclusion could be reached on this issue. It is believed that future research will remove many question marks on HSAM.