[September 11, 2001, and flashbulb memory in Alzheimer's disease: tool for assessing memory problems in daily practice].

INTRODUCTION: "Public events memory" is a semantic memory that may have episodic components. One aspect involves what is called flashbulb memory, in which individuals retain vivid and detailed recollection of circumstances in which they learned of an event. AIMS: The goal of this study was to examine whether Alzheimer's disease (AD) affected the ability to recall the events of September 11 and the flashbulb memory associated with it. METHODS: The study examined questioned 30 subjects with AD and 36 control subjects about their memory of the terrorist attacks that day. RESULTS: Subjects with AD, even those in early disease, appeared to have less detailed recollections of the event, in terms of evocation, dating, and responses to questions. They also had flashbulb memories associated with it less often than controls (46% of cases compared with 97.3% of the control subjects). DISCUSSION: The excellent performance of control subjects underlines the memory impairment about this event in patients with AD. Questions about this topic may be a good tool for general practitioners assessing the need for further evaluation in patients with memory complaints. Language: fr