New learning and remote memory in the same and different domains of experience: Implications for normal memory and amnesia

This study investigated the correlation between new and remote memory ability in normal young subjects and evaluated whether using tests that tapped different domains of experience had any effect on the relationship between new and remote memory. Remote memory was assessed using a famous face test and new memory was evaluated using both novel faces and words. The main finding was a significant correlation between New and Remote face familiarity scores. A correlation was obtained when both tests tapped the same domain of memory, whereas when tests tapped different domains, there was no Remote-New correlation. Remote-New correlations may only exist between tests tapping the same domain of memory. This has implications for the interpretation of previous amnesic literature and for future investigations.