Abstract

Hyperthymesia, also known as Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, is an extremely rare condition discovered in recent years and consists of the extraordinary ability to recall information about one’s own life experiences in the absence of any apparent alterations in other cognitive domains. The present review paper is aimed at illustrating the peculiarities underlying hyperthymesia, by focusing on similarities and differences with respect to other forms of superior memory described in the literature and by highlighting the cognitive profile of this syndrome. Recent works addressing the neural underpinnings as well as the possible theoretical accounts of hyperthymesia are also elucidated. Finally, some relevant open questions in need of further investigation are also discussed.