Some Causes and Features of Memory Loss
Cause |
Common Features* |
Tests |
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Age-related memory changes (age-associated memory impairment) |
Occasional forgetfulness of such things as names or the location of car keys No effect on thinking, other mental functions, or the ability to do daily activities |
A doctor's examination (particularly a neurologic examination and mental status testing to assess functions such as attention, orientation, and memory) |
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Mild cognitive impairment |
Memory loss that is more severe than expected for a person's age, particularly difficulty remembering recent events and conversations (short-term memory loss) No effect on the ability to do daily activities An increased risk of developing dementia |
A doctor's examination Sometimes formal neuropsychologic testing, which resembles mental status testing but evaluates function in more detail |
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Memory loss that becomes worse as time passes, eventually with no awareness of the loss Difficulty using and understanding language, doing usual manual tasks, thinking, and planning (for example, planning and shopping for meals), resulting in not being able to function normally Disorientation (for example, not knowing the time or location) Difficulty recognizing faces or common objects Changes in personality or behavior (for example, becoming irritable, agitated, paranoid, inflexible, or disruptive) |
A doctor’s examination Usually MRI or CT of the brain Sometimes formal neuropsychologic testing Possibly a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to measure levels of two abnormal proteins (amyloid and tau) that occur in Alzheimer disease Sometimes blood tests to check for certain causes, such as an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or a vitamin deficiency
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Memory loss and awareness of the loss, usually accompanied by intense sadness, and lack of interest in usual pleasures Sometimes sleep problems (too little or too much), loss of appetite, and slowing of thinking, speech, and general activity Common among people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or age-related changes in memory |
A doctor’s examination Sometimes use of standardized questionnaires to identify depression |
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Drugs, such as |
Use of a drug that can cause memory loss Often recent use of a new drug, an increase in a drug’s dose, or a change in health that prevents the drug from being processed and eliminated from the body normally, as can occur in kidney or liver disorders |
Typically stopping the drug to see whether memory improves |
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*Features include symptoms and results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. |
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CT = computed tomography; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; OTC = over-the-counter. |
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