Definition
A loss of memory for events that occurred before a head injury, hypoxic episode, or other physiological or psychological trauma. The person typically retains the ability to form new memories but cannot recall some period of time leading up to the event.
Plain English
Forgetting things that happened before an injury or shock, while still being able to remember new things that happen afterward.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation medical and accident discussions, especially when evaluating a pilot or passenger after a hard landing, crash, or head injury.
Derivation
From the Latin retrogradus, meaning 'going backward,' and the Greek amnesia, meaning 'forgetfulness.' The term literally describes memory loss that reaches backward in time from the moment of the injury.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot may be unable to recall warning signs or corrective actions taken during an incident, complicating post-flight debriefs and future prevention.
Intuition Check
Retrograde amnesia is about memory loss before the event. It does not mean the person cannot form new memories after the event.
Example Sentence 1
After the hard landing, the pilot showed signs of retrograde amnesia and could not recall the final approach.
Example Sentence 2
G-LOC often produces retrograde amnesia so the pilot has no memory of the pull-up that triggered the blackout.