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Improving Memory: Understanding age-related memory loss

Feeling forgetful lately? You’re in good company. As many as two-thirds of people age 50 and older notice greater difficulty remembering names, appointments, and other details. Fortunately, the small memory lapses that occur with age are not usually signs of a neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease, but rather the result of normal changes in the structure and function of the brain.

This report describes age-related changes and other causes of memory impairment -- and how to distinguish between them. It also discusses the process of memory evaluation and research on how to prevent memory loss and improve memory. Finally, it addresses the all-important issue of maintaining good cardiovascular health as crucial to preventing cognitive decline.

Prepared by the editors of Harvard Health Publications in consultation with Aaron P. Nelson, Ph.D., Chief of Neuropsychology, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. 49 pages. (2008)

  • What is Memory?
    • Short-term memory
    • Long-term memory
  • How we remember
    • As good as memories in the bank
    • Stage one: Acquisition
    • Stage two: Consolidation
    • Stage three: Retrieval
  • Forgetting: What’s normal?
    • Seven types of normal memory problems
  • How memory changes with age
    • Why memory fades
    • When brain cells die
    • Growing new brain cells
  • Causes of memory impairment
    • Neurological disorders
    • Genes
    • Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors
    • Hypertension
    • High cholesterol
    • Diabetes
    • Depression
    • Hearing loss
    • Hormones
    • Medications
    • Lifestyle factors
  • SPECIAL BONUS SECTION: 10 steps to an optimal memory
  • Improving everyday memory
    • Organizational techniques
    • Behavioral strategies
    • Memory-enhancing techniques
    • Professional memory training
  • When to see a doctor
    • The first step
    • Neuropsychological testing
    • Brain-imaging tests
  • Medications for memory impairment
    • Drugs for Alzheimer's disease
    • Drugs for mild cognitive impairmen
  • Resources
  • Glossary

Although frustrating, memory difficulties caused by the aging process are relatively minor -- they won’t interfere with your ability to do your job or run your household. And there are many things you can do to protect and improve your memory. Some health conditions that become more common with age can impair memory, such as high blood pressure. Memory impairment is also among the side effects of some medications, such as sleep aids and some pain relievers. In such cases, controlling health problems and switching medications can often restore memory function.

Contrary to what we once believed, our brains keep growing new neurons (brain cells) and making new connections between them throughout life. This capacity for rejuvenation raises the potential for medical treatments to stop and reverse memory loss, whether from disease or from aging.

Meanwhile, you can support the growth and development of your brain by taking advantage of this hopeful news: people who keep learning and stay mentally active increase their odds of retaining good brain function as they age. The more you use your brain, the stronger it gets -- and the longer it stays strong.

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I bought this report because I had worries about a family member. The report was so helpful because it let me understand what was normal and what was outside the norm. We decided to get help for our family member but there was side benefit--the tips for ways to improve memory were really helpful to me. Gratefully, Joan S

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