Memory disorders: what are the causes of memory loss (short-term, long-term, sudden)?

Memory impairment can be partial or complete. Complete memory loss is also known as amnesia. It is often a condition caused, for example, by a traumatic brain injury, a blow, or even poisoning.

In some cases, however, the process is long-term and gradual, and there is also degeneration of other sensory and cognitive functions. Memory disorders sometimes involve only short-term memory (i.e. new facts), sometimes long-term memory.

Neurological causes

Memory impairment occurs in various neurological diseases, typically Alzheimer's disease, for example. It is a serious disease affecting older people, characterised by loss of brain mass and personality changes.

Dementia typically involves memory loss, but also impaired rational thinking, especially in the elderly. Parkinson's disease is often associated with problems with movement and muscle tremors, and sometimes memory loss and confusion.

Other neurological causes include epilepsy. After an epileptic seizure, memory loss occurs. One cannot remember the time before, during and after the seizure. Another case is that of encephalitis.

But even in meningitis, memory loss can be present. Also in mad cow disease. It is an infectious disease that damages the brain. It is also called bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Andrea Bull, M.D., the expert author of the article, adds:

Transient global amnesia is a short-term memory disorder that lasts for several hours, most often 6 to 24 hours. It is often preceded by a strong emotional experience. It is manifested by both anterograde and retrograde memory loss. In addition, patients are anxious, confused, frightened, disoriented. Other neurological symptoms such as aphasia, dysarthria or motor disorders are not present!

Psychiatric disorders

Several psychiatric disorders are also accompanied by memory loss. For example, in delirium there is a qualitative disturbance of consciousness with memory loss.

It may be partial or even complete, depending on the severity of the situation.

In alcoholism, memory loss is also often present. It is not just the alcohol window. Long-term memory impairment due to brain cell damage is also present.

People prone to hysteria can also experience memory lapses. Similarly, in the case of schizophrenia, memory loss is common. Similarly, depressive and anxiety disorders can also contribute to memory lapses.

Alternatively, in some stressful situations. This is often natural, for example, a typical window in various stressful situations under the influence of circumstances. Even with sleep deprivation, memory impairment occurs, but especially concentration problems and fatigue.

In children, memory impairment occurs mainly in mild brain dysfunction. It occurs, for example, in cerebral palsy or mental retardation. Various other symptoms besides memory impairment are also present. For example, attention disorders, behavioural disorders, emotional lability, low emotional control.

Other causes

Often, strokes can be behind amnesia. The stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain, due to the formation of a blood clot in the bloodstream. A more serious cause may be a cancer.

People with systemic lupus erythematosus also have memory impairment if the disease affects the brain and cognitive function. Behavioural changes are also a problem. Sometimes dementia can develop as an accompanying disease.

In concussion, there is a short-term loss of consciousness and even of memory. The person does not remember the moment of the injury itself, nor the short period of time before or after it. Concussion is most often caused by a head injury, for example, by a collision.

In addition, memory impairment also occurs in:

• Huntington's disease
• Addison's disease
• Burnout syndrome
• sleep apnoea
• sleep disorders, sleepwalking, insomnia
• postpartum psychosis
• intoxication (poisoning)

Certain drugs also have a negative effect on memory. These are mainly benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, antihistamines and tricyclic antidepressants.

If a person is taking statins and beta-blockers, they may have a memory problem.

Vitamin deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies can also be the cause, especially vitamin B1 and B12. These are mainly found in meat, eggs and dairy products. Vegans in particular may have a problem.

Similarly, in eating disorders such as anorexia, a deficiency of nutrients and vitamins can occur. However, Crohn's disease also poses a risk of deficiency of these substances. Fatigue, weakness, weight loss and other resulting problems are associated.