What term is used to describe a loss of memory for events that occurred before a neurological trauma?

The term that describes a loss of memory for events that occurred before a neurological trauma is retrograde amnesia. This condition specifically refers to the inability to recall memories that were formed prior to the onset of amnesia, often caused by brain injury, trauma, or illness.

When a person experiences retrograde amnesia, they may have difficulty remembering past events, personal experiences, and specific facts that were established before the neurological event. It is often contrasted with anterograde amnesia, which is the inability to form new memories after the onset of amnesia.

Semantic memory loss, on the other hand, pertains to difficulty recalling facts and general knowledge, while short-term memory loss involves the inability to retain information for brief periods, generally not linked specifically to prior events before trauma. Retrograde amnesia focuses specifically on the loss of previously established memories, making it the correct term in this context.