As a boy, Henry Molaison (1926–2008) had severe epilepsy.
Surgeons removed part of his brain – the hippocampus – to
stop the fits he experienced. But afterwards Henry could no
longer form new memories. His amnesia fascinated memory
researchers, who studied him for the rest of his life as
‘patient HM’.
Neuroscientist Suzanne Corkin conducted many interviews
with patient HM. Because of his amnesia, Henry never
remembered Suzanne – but she knew him for over 30 years,
through many stages of life.
This is a transcript of an audio interview between Suzanne
Corkin and Henry Molaison at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) in 1992. Further information about Henry
Molaison is available in the Who am I? gallery on the
first floor.
Surgeons removed part of his brain – the hippocampus – to
stop the fits he experienced. But afterwards Henry could no
longer form new memories. His amnesia fascinated memory
researchers, who studied him for the rest of his life as
‘patient HM’.
Neuroscientist Suzanne Corkin conducted many interviews
with patient HM. Because of his amnesia, Henry never
remembered Suzanne – but she knew him for over 30 years,
through many stages of life.
This is a transcript of an audio interview between Suzanne
Corkin and Henry Molaison at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) in 1992. Further information about Henry
Molaison is available in the Who am I? gallery on the
first floor.