Visual Recognition|Recall Memory

Overview

Visual recognition memory describes recognizing a place, objects, or events as something familiar or new. It’s an essential part of memory when identifying memories, day-to-day events, or planning future activities. Recall memory is the ability to repeat the details connected with the place, object, or event once you have recognized it. They are part of a group of neuropsychological and cognitive disturbances that may affect a superficial siderosis patient.

Memory is organized in the brain as chunks of information. Recognition is more straightforward than recall because it involves a visual clue. If a person loses the ability to recognize something, it seriously impairs the ability to recall details. This is why multiple-choice test questions are more manageable than open answer questions. You are given a visual prompt hinting towards the correct response.

Published studies have found recall memory to be impaired in superficial siderosis more often than recognition memory.^1,2

A neuropsychologist will include both recognition and recall memory in a neurophysiological testing battery.

¹Chan E, et al, Neuropsychological and neuroimaging characteristics of classical superficial siderosis. J Neurol. 2021 Nov;268(11):4238-4247. doi: 10.1007/s00415-021-10548-z. Epub 2021 Apr 17. PMID: 33866413.

²Van Harskamp NJ, Rudge P, Cipolotti L. Cognitive and social impairments in patients with superficial siderosis. Brain. 2005 May;128(Pt 5):1082-92. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh487. Epub 2005 Mar 23. PMID: 15788543.