Memory loss is normal, but if other symptoms are present, it may be related to the development of dementia.
- Memory loss can be a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
- But they are also common in healthy people.
- They become worrying in the presence of other symptoms such as mood swings, personality changes or even repetitions.
Memory loss is always unpleasant, but as the years pass, it can become worrisome. They are, in fact, one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. However, they can be quite benign. Hana Burianova, a neuroscientist from the University of Bournemouth, England, says they should be cause for concern when accompanied by other symptoms. In an article from DailyMailit presents five signs that should alert.
Memory loss: when should you worry?
“We know from research that people over 65 will lose some details of their autobiographical memory, but their memory of facts and words is better than that of younger people.”, says this specialist. She reminds us that it is quite normal to forget certain things, for example, when we exchange with someone but we are distracted. “Anyone can forget to turn off the stove, but with someone with Alzheimer’s disease, it keeps happening.“, she says. The brain of a person with the disease is affected by a progressive death of neurons, located in areas related to memory such as the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus. This phenomenon leads to losses of memory on a daily basis, which become a handicap: forgetting a conversation that has just taken place, its address, etc.
Memory and forgetting: repetition, a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease
It is common to say that old people drool and 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’ve told it before, and that’s what triggers our memory retrieval.explains 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.” The characteristic of repetition as a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is that the person will repeat the same thing, often, and in a very short period of time.
Alzheimer’s disease: mood swings, another common symptom
The British neuroscientist adds that people with Alzheimer’s disease can experience drastic mood swings. “The first signs of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which Bruce Willis suffers from, include mood changes, she specifies. It’s very difficult because people get depressed and anxious.” In the case of dementia from which the American actor suffers, memory loss is a secondary symptom.
Memory: Speech disorders are also a sign of dementia
The effects of dementia on the brain also affect speech. “There’s an area in the frontal lobe that has to do with language initiation.”, explains Hana Burianova. Thus, people affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can suffer from aphasia, or language disorders. This can manifest as misunderstanding when spoken to or stuttering.
Dementia: memory problems can be accompanied by personality changes
Finally, if memory problems are accompanied by personality changes, this may be a symptom of dementia. “Depending on the type of dementia you have, your personality may change once it begins to affect your prefrontal cortex.“, explains the specialist. Concretely, people can develop fears or obsessions for certain things, when others will be completely uninhibited or aggressive.
