Which condition describes impaired new learning without global cognitive deficits?

• A. Amnestic disorder
• B. Recent memory
• C. Vocabulary
• D. Fund of knowledge

Answer: (A)

This pattern reflects an amnestic disorder, where encoding or consolidation of new information is impaired while overall intellect and other cognitive functions stay intact. The hallmark is anterograde amnesia: difficulty learning or remembering new facts and events after the onset, despite preserved attention, language, and problem-solving abilities. In contrast, vocabulary and fund of knowledge are crystallized semantic memories that typically remain intact, so they do not describe a problem with forming new memories. “Recent memory” is a memory domain rather than a disorder; impairment in this area would be part of an amnestic syndrome rather than a separate condition. Therefore, impaired new learning with preserved global cognition best fits an amnestic disorder.