Memory Loss With Aging: What’s Normal, What’s Not

Eric Shapira, DDS, MA
Clinical Gerontologist-Aging Specialist
Aging Mentor Services, Inc.

Have you found yourself saying, “What!” very often? Do you wonder if your hearing is going or you just can’t remember what it was that was said just a few seconds ago? You know that you left the car keys on the dresser where you always left them but they are not there! Gosh darn it all…where did I put them? Or even worse, you come out of the market into that big parking lot where you left your car and it looks like the Bermuda Triangle…”where is my car?” you are thinking to yourself.

Well, you are not losing your mind, your’e just being normal for the most part. In today’s generation, we find ourselves in a fast-food, fast-paced, do it now society. We tend to clutter our brains with so many things at one time it is no wonder we can’t even remember who we are or where we are supposed to be going. When you are in your 20s, you begin to lose brain cells a few at a time. Your body starts to make less of the chemicals your brain cells need to work.

The older you are the more of these changes can affect your memory. Aging may affect your memory by changing the way the brain stores information and by making it harder to recall stored information. Usually, your short-term and remote memories are not affected by aging. But your recent memory may be affected. For example, some of the examples I just mentioned or even forgetting names of people you have met recently. These are normal changes. Most of these little nuisances are just the normal brain trying to prioritize, sort, store and retrieve this information. Frequent memory lapses tend to be noticeable because they interfere with normal living. Let’s look a t a brain and your memory:

The cerebral cortex is where we have formed memories and stored them. The Thalamus is considered to have a role in the formation of new memories partly through the relationship with the Hippocampus. Both of these areas are important for mental alertness.

The Hippocampus itself is believed to be critical in the formation of new memories. Direct injury to any of these areas can impair your ability to retrieve or store memory.
Memory loss can also be caused by the following:

1. Medications, such as sleeping pills, over-the-counter antihistamines, anti-anxiety pills, antidepressants, medication that treats schizophrenia, and pain medications, especially after a surgery.

2. Alcohol and illicit drug use. Heavy alcohol use depletes Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), which can harm memory. Marijuana use and heavier drugs block out memory.

3. Stress. Stress particularly due to emotional trauma can cause memory loss. In rare cases, amnesia can result. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a phenomenon that suppresses memories that are too terrible in ones’ mind to remember. One may find these memories or fleeting glimpses of them “sneaking” out at times creating panic attacks, crying or depression. This type of disorder needs psychological treatment.

4. Depression is common in aging and can cause a lack of attention and focus on memory.
5. Head Injury. A blow to the head.

6. Systemic diseases and Infections. HIV, TB, Syphilis, herpes and other infections of the lining of the brain may cause memory loss.

7. Thyroid dysfunction. An under or over active thyroid can cause interference with memory.

8. Nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin B1 and B12 can affect memory.

9. Normal aging. Aging may make it more difficult to have proper recall.

10. Mild cognitive impairment. This is a memory deficit beyond what is expected for normal aging.

11. Dementia. A term used for increasing impairment of memory and other aspects of thinking. There are many causes to this such as stroke or aneurysm. Alzheimer’s disease is an increasing form of dementia with a progressive loss of brain cells.

Things to remember if you notice your memory failing you:

• Keep lists
• Follow a routine
• Make associations (connect things in your mind), such as using landmarks to help you find places
• Keep a detailed calendar
• Put important items, such as your keys in the same place every time
• Repeat names when you meet new people or write them down in a little book you carry with you
• Do things to keep your mind and body busy.
• Run through the ABC’s in your head to help you think of words you are having trouble remembering. “Hearing” the first letter of a word may jog your memory.

Now where did I put my glasses!?………………….