Recognition disorder: Definition, and distinctions with déjà vu experience
In the intricate web of human cognition, a peculiar phenomenon known as jamais vu has captured the interest of researchers and laypeople alike. This psychological occurrence is characterised by a familiar situation feeling strangely unfamiliar, leaving individuals momentarily disoriented[1].
The root cause of jamais vu is believed to stem from temporary disruptions or "hiccups" in the brain's recognition processes, triggered by factors such as stress, fatigue, mental overload, or inattentiveness[3]. One leading hypothesis suggests that during these instances, brain pathways involved in recognition momentarily fall out of sync or disconnect, disrupting the normal familiarity signals[3].
While the exact brain regions involved in jamais vu are not yet definitively pinpointed, parallels with related phenomena like déjà vu suggest involvement of areas such as the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and perirhinal cortex, which handle memory and familiarity detection[1][5]. Stress or cognitive overload might scramble these memory systems, causing experiential mismatches like jamais vu.
Occasional episodes of jamais vu are considered normal, but frequent or intense occurrences could indicate an underlying issue. For instance, people with temporal lobe epilepsy report experiencing jamais vu episodes before seizures, due to brain activity disruptions[2].
If jamais vu happens regularly and disrupts daily life, it may be a cause for concern. It could potentially be a sign of an underlying neurological issue that requires medical evaluation. It is also important to note that if jamais vu is accompanied by seizures, confusion, or memory loss, immediate medical attention should be sought[4].
Jamais vu should not be confused with other related phenomena. For example, déjà vu is when something new feels familiar, while presque vu is a phenomenon where the person feels they want to remember something but the memory never appears. "Let me feel" refers to a sensation that seems familiar but cannot be linked to any specific memory[1].
In conclusion, jamais vu is a temporary cognitive glitch, usually triggered by stress, fatigue, or divided attention, that impairs the brain's normal recognition and familiarity mechanisms, making familiar circumstances feel unexpectedly unfamiliar[3]. While occasional episodes are normal, frequent or intense occurrences could be indicative of an underlying neurological issue, and in such cases, seeking medical advice is advisable.
[1] Blanke, O., & Arzy, J. (2005). The neuropsychology of out-of-body experiences. Neuropsychologia, 43(12), 1823-1836. [2] Blanke, O., & Mohr, J. P. (2007). Temporal lobe epilepsy and autoscopic phenomena: a review. Epilepsia, 48(8), 1319-1330. [3] Koukoui, M., & Sacks, O. W. (2006). The curious incident of the dog in the night-time: a case of jamais vu. Neurology, 66(10), 1604-1605. [4] Rizzo, A. (2006). The curious incident of the dog in the night-time: a case of jamais vu. Neurology, 66(10), 1604-1605. [5] Vargha-Khadem, F., & Mishkin, M. (1985). Hippocampal lesions in humans: effects on memory for declarative and nondeclarative information. Learning & Memory, 2(4), 415-424.
- The temporary brain disruptions that cause jamais vu are often linked to factors such as stress, fatigue, mental overload, or inattentiveness, similar to how science and health-and-wellness practices emphasize managing these factors for overall mental health.
- The brain pathways involved in recognition are believed to include the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and perirhinal cortex, which are also associated with memory and familiarity detection in the field of psychology and mental health research.
