Disorders That Cause Memory Loss

Memory loss affects almost all of us at one point in life. It is a normal part of aging, but various disorders can also contribute to this condition, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, brain infections, encephalitis, head trauma, temporal lobe brain surgery and seizures. Talk to your doctor if you are suffering from memory loss. This way he can investigate the reason for your condition and rule out any dangerous, underlying health problems.

Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's disease is a disease of the brain marked by memory loss. It eventually develops into problems with reasoning, planning, perception and language. The chance of developing Alzheimer's increases with age, but this disease is not part of the normal aging process and does not affect everyone. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia in the United States. This disease is very hard on the family members of the patient, who may forget names and faces and who eventually needs almost total care.

Brain Tumors

• Brain tumors can cause memory loss, depending on where the tumor is located. Short-term memory loss is the most common type of memory loss associated with this condition. Parts of the brain where tumors affect memory are the frontal lobe, the corpus callosum and the third ventricle. Also, surgery to remove the brain tumor can result in decreased memory function.

Stress and Depression

• Stress and depression can both cause memory loss. However, memory loss from these conditions is preventable and treatable, as people can lessen their chances of developing memory loss by seeking treatment. According to Dr. Robert Wilson, professor of Neurological Sciences and Psychology at Rush University Medical Center, there is a definite link between depression and Alzheimer's, a known cause for memory loss and dementia. Even though Alzheimer's isn't curable, the patient's depression should be addressed, as it may worsen the patient's memory loss.

Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's disease is caused by deterioration in the neurons in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. It affects people mostly over the age of 60, but can appear in people as young as 35. Parkinson's disease is mainly known for causing problems with motor skills, but can also cause cognitive symptoms. Approximately 25 percent of people suffering from this disease develop dementia, which is a condition marked by memory loss so severe that it interferes with normal, everyday activities. Depression contributes to memory loss and is a common symptom among Parkinson's disease patients.

Stroke

• Stroke patients often suffer from memory loss, among many other neurological problems. When you have a stroke, you lose nerve cells in the brain. The loss of these nerve cells creates memory loss. Vascular dementia is a condition that is caused by brain damage from strokes. People with vascular dementia may get lost in familiar places, have trouble remembering words and forget family members' names.