ICD-11

Amnestic disorder is characterised by prominent memory impairment relative to expectations for age and general premorbid level of cognitive functioning, which represents a decline from the individual’s previous level of functioning, in the absence of other significant cognitive impairment. It is manifested by a deficit in acquiring, learning, and/or retaining new information, and may include the inability to recall previously learned information, without disturbance of consciousness, altered mental status, or delirium. Recent memory is typically more disturbed than remote memory, and the ability to immediately recall a limited amount of information is usually relatively preserved. The memory impairment is severe enough to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. It is presumed to be attributable to an underlying acquired disease of the nervous system, a trauma, an infection or other disease process affecting the brain, to use of specific substances or medications, nutritional deficiency or exposure to toxins, or the etiology may be undetermined. The impairment is not due to current substance intoxication or withdrawal.

All definitional requirements for amnestic disorder are met. The memory symptoms are judged to be the direct consequence of psychoactive substance use. The intensity and duration of substance use must be known to be capable of producing memory impairment. The memory impairment may develop during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal, but its intensity and duration are substantially in excess of those normally associated with these conditions. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another disorder or medical condition, as might be the case if the amnestic symptoms preceded the onset of substance use.