What is it about ?
Age influences memory and learning processes. “Normal” aging goes hand in hand with a slight decrease in the ability to retain new things and acquire new knowledge and skills. However, the ability to recall memories and recognize things from the past are not impaired. The “normal” brain aging process should therefore not interfere with a person’s daily activities and social functioning.
Through ” memory impairment “, we are talking about any decrease in the ability to retain, store and reproduce information.
The disorders can be minor, without major impact on normal daily activities. We then speak of ” mild cognitive deficits “ (MCI or Mild Cognitive Impairment).
The so-called “cognitive” symptoms refer to all a series of disorders linked to the functions performed by the brain such as memory but also attention, abstract thought, orientation or language (aphasia) for example.
They can be major and cause a marked decline in both memory and cognitive functions. We then speak of memory diseases. The most frequent are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and other diseases that can affect the brain such as Parkinson disease. These diseases can lead to dementia.
We are talking about dementia when the impairment of memory and cognitive functions is such that the person is less autonomous in daily activities, at work or in social relationships. Usually dementia is progressive, that is, it gets worse over time. Sometimes a treatable abnormality, like a hypothyroidism, is the source of the problem.
When to suspect a memory disorder?
- When a family member notices changes;
- In the event of persistent and disabling memory loss;
- In the event of difficulty in performing work or household tasks;
- In case of late arrivals to appointments;
- In the event of inappropriate use of certain services and difficulty in following processing instructions;
- In case of confusion ;
- In case of difficulty finding words ;
- In the event of orientation problems, such as the tendency to get lost and lose track of time;
- In case of difficulties in managing financial affairs;
- In the event of a change of personality;
- In case of mistrust of others or ofanxiety, withdrawal from social contacts and decline in taking initiatives;
- In the event of decreased vigilance noticed by a visiting doctor or nursing staff.
Causes of memory degradation
Memory impairment always needs to be explored. It is always advisable to exclude transient causes or treatable.
The transient causes subside over time or with appropriate follow-up, such as:
- a transient ischemic attack (TIA), that is to say a cerebrovascular accident (AVC) which does not leave sequelae;
- a transient global memory loss (amnesia), after an accident for example;
- a epileptic crisis ;
- side effects of drugs or stimulants;
- mental illnesses, such as depression, of the’anxiety, a burnout or burnout, from psychosis, etc;
- a confused state.
The treatable causes group together a series of conditions accompanied by memory impairment as one symptom among others:
- psychiatric disorders, such as depression ;
- metabolic disorders, such as disorders of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism Where hypothyroidism);
- deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, nicotinic acid, etc. ;
- brain infections like HIV, lyme disease, herpes, etc. ;
- hemorrhages and brain tumors ;
- a lack of oxygen to the brain due to chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD), anemia or too low blood pressure;
- side effects of certain medications, such as painkillers and sleeping pills;
- the side effects of substances toxic to the nervous system, such as alcohol.
Besides these transient or treatable causes, memory disorders can be the consequence of complications of other chronic diseases :
- cerebral lesion – brain-damage ;
- blood circulation disorders;
- inflammations;
- vitamin B1 deficiency;
- scars after surgery or radiation therapy;
- brain damage caused by alcohol.
Finally, there are diseases of the brain with progressive loss of memory., the best known of which are:
- the Alzheimer’s disease ;
- the vascular dementia due to poor blood circulation.
Want to know more?
Memory problems and other cognitive functions – CHU Montreal
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