It happens to most of us: you walk right into a room only to forget why you are there. As universal because the phenomenon is, just as prevalent are the alarm bells that may trigger it: Am I developing Alzheimer’s disease?
But the scenario almost never suggests Alzheimer’s, which affects 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older and is characterised by memory loss and difficulties with language, problem-solving and decision-making.
Many memory impairments are only a part of aging and typically don’t indicate anything serious. The dilemma is the right way to distinguish on a regular basis forgetfulness from early signs of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia — a distinction that many individuals struggle with. “Most people who come to me have a misunderstanding of what is normal and what is Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Budson.
When forgetfulness is a traditional a part of aging.
Dr. Budson explains how memory works using a filing system analogy. The frontal lobes of the brain act as a “file clerk,” gathering information from day by day activities and allowing us to retrieve that information when needed.
Normal aging can affect the frontal lobes, resulting in lack of on a regular basis memory. But so can aspects akin to stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, mood disorders, and quite a lot of medications (including antidepressants, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and sleeping pills, amongst many others).
Frontal lobe disorders may also result in several forms of forgetfulness that sometimes don’t indicate Alzheimer’s. They include
- Temporarily forgetting names or details
- Misplacing items but determining steps to get well them
- Occasional “tip of the tongue” problems with word retrieval.
“In normal aging, the frontal lobes don’t work as efficiently as they used to, so information may need to be repeated a couple of times, or it may take a little longer to recall,” he says. “But as long as the information gets into memory in the first place, it should be able to be retrieved, even if it takes a little time or a hint or hint.”
When memory loss can signal something more serious.
In contrast, the brain’s hippocampus, which Dr. Budson calls the “filing cabinet,” is usually unaffected by aging. But structural damage from amyloid plaques and tau tangles — the abnormal protein deposits within the brain that characterize Alzheimer’s — causes those affected to experience “rapid forgetting.”
“In Alzheimer’s, even when the information is repeated, or you’re given a cue or cue, the information can’t be retrieved,” says Dr. Budson.
These forms of memory lapses may be symptoms of dementia:
- Repeating questions and stories, especially throughout the same conversation
- Getting lost on familiar paths
- A brand new or worsening tendency to misplace familiar objects
- New challenges with planning or problem solving
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- New problems with vocabulary in speaking or writing, including trouble naming familiar objects.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Mood or personality changes akin to feeling confused, suspicious, fearful, anxious, or easily upset when you’re out of your comfort zone
- poor judgement.
“Sometimes the first sign a family realizes a loved one is vulnerable is that they’ve lost $30,000 in a scam — especially if it’s someone who’s generally good at managing their finances,” says Dr. Budson.
When to act
When is it time for an expert review? See a health care provider if you will have persistent or worsening memory problems or are having trouble doing belongings you once did easily.
“If a friend or family member is concerned about your memory, I would definitely follow up,” says Dr. Budson. Start by seeing your primary care doctor, but “if you don’t feel like they’re addressing your concerns, get a second opinion or go to someone who specializes in memory,” he says.
Early diagnosis is vital. If your memory loss is attributable to Alzheimer’s, treatment options may include newer disease-modifying therapies akin to lecanimab (Lecambi) and donanimab (Kisunla), that are designed to remove amyloid plaques within the brain. “The earlier you start, the more effective they are, because they can reduce falls,” says Dr. Budson.
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