HSAM

abbreviation

ˈāch-ˌsam 

highly superior autobiographical memory

Her remarkable ability is called highly superior autobiographical memory, or HSAM. So far, we know of fewer than 100 people in the world who can do what she [Markie Pasternak] does, but the number is growing as awareness of HSAM increases.

—Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Journal Sentinel

Medical Definition

HSAM

abbreviation

ˈāch-ˌsam 

highly superior autobiographical memory

The discovery of rare individuals who have highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) provides … an opportunity to investigate the brain systems underlying enhanced memory. … Individuals with HSAM demonstrate an extraordinary ability to recall vividly and accurately many remote autobiographical events, irrespective of their emotional saliency, and without the explicit use of mnemonic strategies.

—Valerio Santangelo et al., PNAS