Abstract
We reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques devised for investigating remote memory. Several problems are crucial for using and interpreting remote memory tests. For example, when we use tests for public and social memory, the degree of individual interest is fundamental. The veracity of recollections is especially important when we use tests for autobiographical memory tests. Ceiling effect by the control subjects should be considered in case the task is quite easy. On the other hand, floor effect by amnesia patients will give us no information about temporal gradient of their remote memory performances. Take these problems into consideration, we introduced autobiographical fluency task, which is the fluency-based remote memory tests. Subjects are asked to recall the memories about autobiographical aspects as much as possible for 1 minute. Using Fluency-based remote memory tests, we can avoid ceiling effect by control subjects. There were significant correlations between the performances on the autobiographical fluency test and the performances on previously studied autobiographical memory test in ten alcoholic Korsakoff patients. We conclude that the fluency-based remote memory tests are useful to assess remote memory.
