Memory Loss
Memory loss, or amnesia, is unusual forgetfulness. The cause determines whether amnesia comes on slowly or suddenly, and whether it is temporary or permanent.[1] Normal aging may lead to trouble learning new material or requiring a longer time to remember learned material. However, it does not lead to dramatic memory loss unless diseases are involved.[1] Some causes of memory loss include the following:[1]
- Alcoholism
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Brain damage due to disease or injury
- Brain growths (caused by tumors or infection)
- Brain infections such as Lyme disease or syphilis
- Depression or emotional trauma
- Drugs such as barbiturates or benzodiazepines
- Electroconvulsive therapy (especially if it is long-term)
- Encephalitis of any type (herpes, West Nile, Eastern Equine)
- General anesthetics such as halothane, isoflurane, and fentanyl
- Head trauma or injury
- Hysteria, often accompanied by confusion
- Illness that results in the loss of nerve cells (neurodegenerative illness)
- Nutritional problems (vitamin deficiencies such as low vitamin B12)
- Seizures
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Transient global amnesia
- Temporal lobe brain surgery
For More Information
For more in-depth information on memory, read Human Memory and Memory Loss in our Elder Health Guides section.
References
1. MedlinePlus. (November 13, 2008) Memory Loss. Retrieved July 6, 2009, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003257.htm.
