Autobiographical memory and Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

This article aims to identify and characterize the changes observed in autobiographical memory in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease through a systematic literature review. Empirical studies assessing autobiographical memory characteristics using qualitative or quantitative approaches in individuals aged 60 years or older with Alzheimer’s disease were included. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, PsyInfo, CINAHL, LILACS and Academic Search Complete databases up to February 20, 2013, resulting in the inclusion of 17 cross-sectional studies. There is consensus that the progression of Alzheimer’s disease involves a decline in autobiographical memory for both episodic and semantic events, the presence of retrograde amnesia, and overgeneralization of autobiographical events. The review highlights the need for experimental and longitudinal studies to improve understanding of autobiographical memory in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and its relationship with identity