|
|
|
Introduction
Memory - What is it? Webster's defines memory as "The mental capacity or faculty of retaining or recalling facts, events, impressions or previous experiences." Scientists still do not understand how memory works witnessed by the numerous confusing categories and terms, they usually divide it into three types -immediate, recent and remote- based on time. Children and young adults are often proud of their memories while as adults we generally complain about ours. Achievement in school and the work place is largely dependent on the ability to memorize facts and social success is tied to the ability to remember names and faces. When we reach our forties things change.
Did you ever find yourself looking in the closet but not knowing what you are looking for only to remember what it was when you got back to the kitchen? This is a normal consequence of aging and usually only effects short-term memory.
How Memory Works back to top
Doctors think memory works in three steps, first is registration, sensory memory comes into play here, we perceive our surroundings and make our observations ready for storage. Retention is the second component followed by recall. If sensory memory is considered important it is rehearsed, repeated, mulled over, and kept in STM for a time. Generally, we can only juggle about seven facts at a time in STM. When new facts enter, they displace the old, which are either lost or, if they have been rehearsed enough, saved in LTM. |
Types of Memoryback to top
- Short-term memory- (STM), immediate, or working memory is the ability to remember a telephone number for the time it takes to dial it. The item you are going to the closet to get is stored in short-term memory until you get there and retrieve it. You are supposed to forget these things after a brief period, otherwise your head would be full of trivial facts.
- Sensory memory- also in the immediate category, includes the ability to recognize smells, sounds, and sights. Unless considered important, visual memory usually lasts only half a second and sounds last a few seconds. Sensory memory is only lost in cases of brain injury and is usually considered as part of the process of perception.
- Recent memory- is the ability to recall day to day events and is involved in learning new information
- Long term memory- (LTM), or remote memory, concerns itself with the more distant past, life events such as your childhood, or your visit to Paris last fall or the doctor last week.
- Declarative memory - or is often considered part of remote, or LTM it includes semantic memory -the ability to remember the meaning of words, facts, and a generalized knowledge of the world and episodic memory- your autobiographical memories. Episodic memory is often effected by amnesia.
- Procedural memory- another part of LTM consists of remembering motor skills, knowing how to do things, such as how to walk, ride a bike and eat.
- Prospective memory-refers to the ability to remember that you need to do something in the future such as planning, organizing, i.e. remembering to bring your purse with you when going to the store.
Why Memory Fails
back to top
The good news is - we do become more intelligent and wise as we do age. Wisdom is demonstrated by our increased ability to make associations or links between past experiences and new. This function becomes easier as we accumulate more experiences with time. Does our memory fail or does it just slow and require more maintenance? This is controversial subject in medicine. Remember that all of the statements made concerning memory loss are based on studies that measure averages of groups of people not individuals. We all know of an 80+ year old who is as sharp witty and intelligent as ever.
The brain shrinks as we age, some of the shrinkage is due to cells dying, but cell death is less of a factor then previously thought. Cell death begins as early as 40 but measurable intellectual slowing does not begin until age 60 and does not accelerate until age 80. Other cells take over the dying cell function and cell death alone does not significantly effect memory. The neuro transmitter acetylcholine decreases over time and may contribute to age associated memory impairment.
Memory Skills
back to top
Derived from Mnemosyne (pronounced ne-mos-a-ne) the ancient Greek goddess of memory, and mother of the seven muses, comes the word mnemonic a technique for improving the memory.
Visual mnemonics- this technique is often taught in memory enhancement courses an example involves associating names with faces. When you meet someone new, try to associate the new name to someone you already know keep repeating the name orally in your initial conversation with the new acquaintance.
Menopause and Memory
back to top
Most authorities do not believe menopause i.e. low estrogen levels, causes memory problems. Of course if your not sleeping because of the hot flashes loss of estrogen can cause, your memory can become impaired.
There have been several studies trying to determine if estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) can effect memory. One study looked at 30 women with an average age of 75. For one year, half of the women received estrogen and half did not. The women who took the estrogen had a significant improvement on the WAIS memory scale while the women who did not take estrogen had a decline. Another study involved 50 postmenopausal women treated with estrogen for three years. The treated women had memory improvement for the first two years, in the third year there was no change. It is difficult to separate estrogens positive effect on other menopausal symptoms and its effect on memory. If you look at women with no menopausal symptoms, i.e. they are sleeping well with no hot flashes and not depressed, it was found that estrogen did not improve memory.
Depression Memory and Menopause
back to top
Menopause is often associated with many of life's stressors such as divorce, widowhood, care of elderly parents, or the empty nest syndrome. While many consider these changes opportunities for growth and liberation, others react with sadness and withdrawal. Depression can effect memory by causing increased distractibility and difficulty concentrating this leads to problems with retention. Retrieval of memories can also be a problem in depression; loss of motivation can make it difficult to retrieve memories. Depression is more common in women in their 30's. However, for women who had suffered from depression earlier in life menopause may hasten a relapse. Several population-based studies have confirmed that symptoms of depression are not more common around the time of menopause. Data from menopause clinics do show that among women who seek treatment for menopausal problems, depression in a common complaint. While there are reports of estrogen improving mild peri-menopausal depression, progestin, the other hormone generally given with estrogen, can often cause a worsening of mood. In a meta-analysis (a comparison of studies) of 26 studies on the effect of hormone replacement therapy on mood testosterone had the greatest positive effect on mood followed by estrogen.
Drugs That Can Impair Memory
back to top
- Alcohol- Women are more likely then men to resort to alcohol to assuage midlife
problems. Alcoholism is one of the most common causes of memory loss.
- Antidepressants
- Blood Pressure medications
- Heart Medications
- Muscle Relaxants
- Pain Killers
- Tranquilizers
- Sleeping Pills
Conditions Associated with Memory Loss
back to top
- Age associated memory impairment (AAMI) This is a controversial designation meant to include people who suffer from mild memory impairment and are over the age of 50 but do not met the diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's Disease.
- Infections of the brain such as encephalitis or meningitis.
- Head trauma
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Stroke
- Multi-infarct dementia
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Depression is the most common cause of reversible memory loss.
- Anxiety
- Malnutrition
- Cancer
See Also:
Memory in the News
Herbs
References
Disclaimer - Menopause-OnlineTM is not intended as medical advice. Its intent is solely informational and educational. The information is not a substitute for talking with your health professional.
Please read our Legal Disclaimer
|
