Selective sparing of face learning in a global amnesic patient

Objective-To test the hypothesis that visual memory for faces can be dissoc iated from visual memory for topographical material. Method-A patient who developed a global amnesic syndrome after acute carbon monoxide poisoning is described. A neuroradiological examination documente d severe bilateral atrophy of the hippocampi. Results-Despite a severe anterograde memory disorder involving verbal infor mation, abstract figures, concrete objects, topographical scenes, and spati al information, the patient was still able to learn previously unknown huma n faces at a normal (and, in some cases, at a higher) rate. Conclusions-Together with previous neuropsychological evidence documenting selective sparing of topographical learning in otherwise amnesic patients, this case is indicative of the fact that the neural circuits involved in fa ce recognition are distinct from those involved in the recognition of other visuoperceptual material (for example, topographical scenes).