Ask Your Family Doctor

Developed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada

How does the brain store information?

The brain stores information in your memory. The information in your memory includes things that have happened to you in the past - what you've seen, heard, smelled, tasted, and felt.

Things are stored in different parts of your memory depending on when they happened to you. Information stored in the short-term memory may include the name of a person you met moments ago or a phone number you just looked up.

Information stored in the recent memory may include what you ate for breakfast or what you did yesterday.

Information stored in the remote memory includes things that you stored in your memory years ago, such as memories of childhood, what you wore on your wedding day or the color of the first car you bought.

How does aging change the brain?

Beginning when you're very young, your brain starts to change. You begin to lose brain cells a few at a time. Your body also starts to make less of the chemicals your brain cells need to work. The older you are, the more these changes can affect your memory. Aging may affect memory by changing the way you store information. It may also affect memory by making it harder to recall information the brain has already stored.Your short-term and remote memories aren't usually affected by aging. But your recent memory may be affected. You may forget names of people you've met recently. These are normal changes.

Things to help you remember

	Keep lists. Cross things off only once they have been done.
	Follow a routine.
	Make associations (connect things in your mind), such as using landmarks to help you get around.
	Keep a detailed calendar.
	Put important items, such as your keys, in the same place every time.
	Repeat names when you meet new people.
	Do things that keep your mind and body busy.
	Run through the ABCs in your head to help you think of words you're having trouble remembering. "Hearing" the first letter of a word may jog your memory.

What about when I know a word but can't recall it?

This is called a "tip-of-the-tongue" experience. It's usually just a glitch in your memory. You'll almost always remember the word with time. This may become more common as you age. It can be very frustrating. But don't worry. It's not serious unless it interferes with your daily activities.

What are other causes of memory problems?

Many things other than aging can cause memory problems. These include depression, other illnesses, dementia (severe problems with memory and thinking, such as Alzheimer's disease), side effects of drugs, strokes, head injury and alcoholism. Hearing and vision problems can add to memory problems by making communication hard.

How can I tell if memory problems are serious?

A memory problem is serious when it affects your daily living. If you sometimes forget names, you're probably okay. But you may have a more serious problem if you have trouble remembering how to do things you've done many times before, getting from one place you've been to often to another place, or doing things that use steps, like following a recipe.

The difference between normal memory problems and dementia is that the memory loss that normally occurs with aging doesn't get much worse over time. Dementia gets much worse over a period of several months to several years. It may be hard to figure out on your own if you have a serious problem. Talk to your family doctor about any concerns you have. Your doctor may be able to help you if your memory problems are caused by a medicine you're taking or by depression. Many causes of memory problems can be treated.

How does Alzheimer's disease change memory?

Alzheimer's disease starts by changing the recent memory-ability to learn and store new information. At first, a person with Alzheimer's disease will remember even small details of his or her distant past but not be able to remember recent events or conversations. Over time, the disease affects all parts of the memory. The person with Alzheimer's disease will no longer be able to care for his or her own needs.

Alzheimer's disease isn't a normal part of aging and it's much less common than most people think. Only 10% of people over age 65 have Alzheimer's disease. But this number rises to 20% to 30% of people over age 85.

A number of medications have been shown to slow the worsening of Alzheimer's disease. These medications do not improve normal age-related memory changes. See your family doctor if you have concerns about your memory

Memory problems that aren't a part of normal aging

	Forgetting things much more often than you used to.
	Forgetting how to do things you've done many times before.
	Trouble learning new things.
	Repeating phrases or stories in the same conversation.
	Trouble making choices or handling money.
	Not being able to keep track of what happens each day.
	Changes in how you act.
	Loss of social graces.
	Losing interest in daily activities and how you look.
	Feeling more depressed, confused, restless and anxious.

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Revised 2007 The College of Family Physicians of Canada

This information provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. This health education material has been favorably reviewed by the Patient Education Review Committee of the College of Family Physicians of Canada: Dr Cathy MacLean, Halifax, NS (Scientific Editor) Dr C. Richard Fischer, Pickering, ON Dr Patrice Laplante, Fleurimont, QC Dr Richard Moffatt, Red Deer, AB Dr David Nunn, Kentville, NS Dr Cornelius Woelk, Winkler, MB The College of Family Physicians of Canada, one of the nation's largest medical groups, is committed to promoting and maintaining high standards for family physicians - the doctors who provide ongoing, comprehensive care for people of all ages. This patient education information was developed by The College of Family Physicians of Canada in cooperation with the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Support for this program has been provided by an educational grant to the Research and Education Foundation by Scotiabank.