emory Update
Memory: What's normal, what's not, what's new
by Dr. Ron Devere
The Memory Disorders Clinic
Houston Neurology Associates
"I can't remember where I put my keys."
"I can't remember people's names at a party."
"I can remember my high school teacher's names but I can't remember why I came into the garage."
Do these sound familiar?
Mild memory problems like these are very common and normal at all ages, but are much more common as we age. Being able to retrieve information stored in memory becomes much more difficult as we age, but it is a normal event. It is more common in women over age 60.
When should a person be concerned about memory loss and seek medical attention? My rule is that anyone who has a memory problem that is interfering with work or social activities should seek professional help. There are many medical conditions that cause memory loss. the most common include depression and "mind overload." People who have many things to do at the same time and are preoccupied with worry will have trouble concentrating and focusing on the subject at hand.
Many different prescription medications for such common problems as high blood pressure, heart disease, and pain can frequently be a cause of memory loss.
One of everybody's major concerns is the threat of Alzheimer's Disease. This is a disorder of unknown cause that initially begins with memory loss and later invariably develops into word finding difficulty, intellectual decline, disturbances in judgment, and personality changes. The general term that describes all these difficulties is "dementia."
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia but other common causes include stroke, medication, and head injury.
Another common condition that is associated with mild to moderate memory loss is called age associated memory loss (AAML). This occurs in 30-40% of the population older than 50 and may interfere with some activities of daily living. It is by definition not progressive. This condition is considered a probable normal aging condition but some experts consider this as a separate entity since not everyone develops AAML.
When you seek the professional help of a physician to evaluate your memory problems, he or she may order a number of tests which can include an MRI or CAT scan of the brain, a thyroid and B12 blood test, an EEG, and possibly a detailed IQ test and personality evaluation to help determine if the memory problem is associated with disturbances in judgement, decision making, or depression.
Most memory disorders are treatable. Low thyroid and B12 deficiency can be successfully treated with medications. Depression can be treated with psychotherapy and antidepressants, usually very effective in reducing "mind overload" and feelings of hopelessness. Prescription medications that lead to clouding of memory can be reduced or stopped.
Early, mid-stages, and in some cases even late stages of Alzheimer's Disease are now considered a treatable dementia. New medications such as Cognex and Aricept which work by increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain can be very helpful in improving some activities of daily living such as choosing clothing, dressing and feeding oneself, taking out the garbage, and bringing in the mail. Major memory improvement with these medication has been disappointing.
Another medication that has been found to be effective in slowing down Alzheimer Disease, but has not specifically improved memory, is 2000 units per day of Vitamin E.
To date, there are no medications, vitamins, or herbs that have shown to improve memory. Many of the products that claim to improve memory may improve alertness, but not memory.
Memory retraining and use of memory aids by a competent memory therapist has been very helpful in many cases of memory loss. Memory aids include tape recorders, alarm clocks, and signs. Memory strategies include making lists, using rhymes, and increasing the use of visual memory.
