There are normal memory lapses, linked to age or too high a mental load. And the others, those who must challenge and push for consultation to determine a possible neurological disease to be treated.
From a certain age, the memory is no longer as sharp than before. “THE peak cognitive functioning is around 25-30 years old. After this age, your brain capacity including memory begins to decline. It’s physiological” tells us Dr Wilfrid Casseron, neurologist. “Normal” memory loss is observed from the age of 60-65 in the majority of individuals. It manifests itself by immediate memory problems which are benign such as “I don’t know where I put my keys anymoreI forgot what I had for dinner 3 days ago or what you said to me on the phone the day before yesterday.”We must reassure patients who accompany their 95-year-old parents who are worried about their memory lapses. It is rare at this age to have unaffected cognitive faculties“insists Dr. Casseron. In medical language, memory loss is associated with a reduction in cognitive faculties.
Benign memory lapses are often limited in time.
“Cognition is the set of mental processes that cover memory, language, perception, gestures and executive functions (organization, planning, judgment)” recalls the neurologist. Disorders properly attributed to memory are to be distinguished from those that we qualify as attention disorders. “Forgetting your cell phone, no longer remembering your parking space, opening a cupboard and no longer knowing what you were looking for… These are benign attentional disorders and not signs of memory pathologies” reassures the expert. Benign memory lapses are often limited in time. “At the time we forgot but a little effort and the information comes back” underlines the neurologist. On the other hand, some memory losses are abnormal and may indicate more serious problems.
“A patient who thinks it’s August even though it’s very cold”
This translates a spatial-temporal confusion and disorientation And “it’s a red flag for us” illustrates the neurologist. To be differentiated from the retired patient who confuses the days of the week. “The lady who goes to the supermarket temporarily forgets where she parked but eventually finds her place, that doesn’t worry me. On the other hand, the lady who returns home by bus, convinced she didn’t have a car even though she parked in the parking lot from the supermarket, I note it as a red flag“explains Dr. Casseron.
“He has changed, I no longer recognize him”
Behavioral disorders and character changes suggest an abnormal memory disorder. “When loved ones tell us “he’s changed, I don’t recognize him anymore, he never did that…”, it’s a signal.” specifies the expert. “Get angry quickly at the mention trouble or do more pirouettes under the pretext of a joke to justify your forgetfulness is part of suspicious behavior” adds the neurologist.
“He is convinced that everything is fine”
Anosognosia (or poor awareness of the disorder) refers to the situation in which the patient “does not realize”, according to those around him, that he is subject to memory disorders. “It is a form of denial through ignorance, the patient is convinced that he has no problem. It is more worrying than the patient who consults because he realizes that he has forgotten things.” recognizes the neurologist.
“He no longer knows how to make this dish that he loved to cook”
Of the daily tasks that were once easy are now difficult or even impossible to achieve? “No longer knowing how to perform gestures and habits like cook a dish that you make very often or DIY may indicate an abnormal memory disorder” underlines the neurologist. In the same way, “the patient who declares that his son is 25 years old when he is over forty or the one who thinks that his children have died even though they are alive, these are worrying signs” explains the expert. In this case it is the biographical memory which is affected. Finally, some people may experience sleep problems in addition to their memory problems: because “abnormal degenerative memory disorders impact sleep-wake rhythm” defends Dr. Casseron.
How to diagnose abnormal memory loss?
During the consultation, the neurologist passes memory tests and medical questioning to the patient. “In case of suspicion with the clinical consultation, we prescribe imaging tests (brain MRI and possibly scintigraphy) and a blood test. We also offer a standardized and quantified neuro-psychological assessment to assess the cognitive situation.continues the neurologist. We can also carry out a study of biomarkers via a lumbar puncture but this examination is invasive and therefore not systematic.
Can we prevent or slow down abnormal memory loss?
“There is no no curative medical treatment to slow memory loss but clinical trials are currently underway to develop therapeutic strategies” encourages Dr. Casseron. However, certain factors influence cognitive faculties such as memory:
► The perceptual disorders such as hearing loss aggravate cognitive difficulties, hence the importance of quickly fitting a patient who loses hearing.
► A poor diet, taking psychotropic medications (benzodiazepine) and consumption alcohol increase memory problems. “A correlation has been established between poor cardiovascular health and cognitive disorders, which are called neurovascular disorders” underlines the expert.
► Isolation, lack of social relationships and time spent in front of screens have a negative impact on cognitive functions. Conversely, “Conversations and social activities (going to the cinema, seeing an exhibition, etc.) promote memory maintenance. Having a good socio-cultural background increases memory and cognitive abilities (reading, writing, learning)” defends our interlocutor.
► The lack of sleep and depression amplify cognitive losses.
Thanks to Dr Wilfrid Casseron, neurologist.