Our memory is where we store, retain and retrieve information. When there is some damage to the part of our brain that performs these functions, memory loss can occur. Memory loss is a symptom in which a person experiences an abnormal level of forgetfulness and inability to recall past events in their life. This is usually a consequence of damage to the brain which may have been caused by disease, injury or excessive emotional stress. Memory loss may be temporary or permanent. Not all memory problems signify dementia or Alzheimer’s. Memory impairment can be caused by many medical conditions, and it is possible that something simple and treatable such as depression or epilepsy or even a medication may be the underlying cause.
Memory loss is a very broad term that can mean any deficit in memory function. There are many different types of memory loss including anterograde (inability to learn new memories), retrograde (forgetting old memories), complete or partial, sudden or long term. Sometimes a person will have only memory loss (sometimes called the ‘amnesic syndrome’) or only mild memory loss (called ‘mild cognitive impairment’). Sometimes a person will have memory loss as part of more general problems, such as in dementia where a person may have difficulty with memory as well as difficulty with speech, fiddly jobs and planning.
Some memory loss is quite common as people get older, and people may be worried that they are developing dementia. For this reason there is included a short paragraph on the warning signs of dementia.
What causes memory loss?
womanMemory loss is a common health complaint, particularly in the elderly. There is an array of medical conditions that can affect memory and cause memory loss, many of which can be treated easily. Some causes of memory loss include:
Normal ageing process (age-associated memory impairment);
Vitamin deficiencies such as B12 and anaemia, electrolyte imbalances;
Thyroid abnormalities: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism;
Depression, anxiety and stress (pseudo dementia);
Other psychiatric disorders, especially post traumatic stress disorder;
Head injuries;
Dementia: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia;
Delirium;
Temporal lobe surgery;
Cerebrovascular disease such as stroke, transient ischaemic attack and multi-infarct dementia;
Sleep apnoea;
Cerebral tumours;
Dehydration;
Cardiovascular disorders: acute myocardial infarction, arrythmias (irregular heartbeat), congestive heart failure;
Seizures (especially temporal lobe epilepsy);
Medications (e.g. barbiturates and benzodiazepines);
Alcohol;
Drugs: many illicit drugs, including amphetamines, marijuana and cocaine can cause short term memory loss;
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (thiamine deficiency);
Encephalitis (especially Herpes simplex infection);
Infections: meningitis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease);
Multiple sclerosis;
Electroconvulsive therapy;
Huntington’s disease, late Parkinson’s disease, Picks’ disease.
Some degree of memory loss is a normal part of ageing and not all people who have memory loss have dementia or any of the above conditions.