Memory loss is normal, but the appearance of other symptoms could be linked to the development of dementia.
- Memory loss is common, even in healthy people.
- They can also be a sign of developing dementia.
- They should be concerned if other symptoms, such as mood changes or speech problems, develop.
Memory loss is always unpleasant, but over time it may be cause for concern. They constitute, in fact, one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease as well as other forms of dementia. However, they may not be serious. Hana Burianova, a neuroscientist at the University of Bournemouth (UK), explains that if memory loss is accompanied by other symptoms, it is something to be concerned about. In an article from Daily Mailshe details five signs that should alert you.
When should you worry about memory loss?
“We know from research that people over the age of 65 will lose some details of their autobiographical memory, but their memory for facts and words is better than that of younger people., says the specialist. She explains that it is completely normal to forget things in certain contexts, for example, when talking to someone while being distracted. “Anyone can forget to turn off the stove, but with someone with Alzheimer’s it happens over and over again“, she explains. The brains of people suffering from the disease undergo a progressive death of neurons in areas associated with memory such as the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus. This phenomenon becomes a disorder leading to memory loss on a daily basis: forgetting a conversation that has just taken place, its address, etc.
Repetition: a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease
It is commonly accepted that older people tell the same stories over and over again. “We all tell stories many times, especially to our partners. But there may be a clue, which reminds us that we have already told it, and that is then what triggers our memory recoverydevelops Professor Burianova. But someone with Alzheimer’s disease will repeat the same thing three times in a row. It’s a symptom of their short-term memory loss.” Repetition as a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the fact that the person will repeat the same thing, frequently, and in a very short time.
Mood changes, another common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease
Hana Burianova adds that patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can experience sudden mood changes. “Early signs of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which Bruce Willis suffers from, include changes in mood, she specifies. It’s very difficult because people become depressed and anxious.” Regarding the dementia from which the American actor suffers, memory loss is only a secondary symptom.
Speech problems are also a sign of dementia
The effects of dementia on the brain also have consequences on speech. “There is an area in the frontal lobe that has to do with language initiation.”, explains the British neuroscientist. Therefore, people affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may suffer from aphasia, that is, language disorders. This can manifest itself as an inability to understand when spoken to or even stuttering.
Memory problems can be accompanied by personality changes
Finally, if memory problems are accompanied by changes in personality, we may be in the presence of dementia. “Depending on the type of dementia you have, your personality may change once it starts affecting your prefrontal cortex“, concludes the expert. Some patients can develop fears or obsessions for certain things, while others will be completely uninhibited or aggressive.
