Neuropsychological sequelae of heatstroke.

Two patients were evaluated three and six years, respectively, following episodes of heatstroke. Both patients demonstrated neuropsychological deficits in novel learning, intellectual functioning, and sustained attention. Left-sided sensory and motor functioning were also deficient. Severe retrograde amnesia for all factual information prior to the heatstroke was observed in one of the patients. Personality testing revealed aspects of dissociative disorders for both individuals. The results are discussed in relation to current cognitive theories of memory. In addition, neurological and psychological etiologies of dissociative disorders are hypothesized.