Diseases and Conditions Underlying Memory Loss
Memory loss can be a normal part of aging. But certain diseases, conditions or events can contribute to memory loss. These include:
*Alcoholism
*Alzheimer’s
*Dementia with Lewy Bodies
*Depression
*Frontotemporal Dementia
*Head injury
*Huntington’s disease
*Infections
*Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
*Vitamin deficiencies
*Parkinson’s disease
*Vascular dementia.
Sometimes a combination of these factors causes memory loss, so even at autopsy it can be difficult to pinpoint a single problem or pathology.
In addition, many studies link chronic diseases such as diabetes, depression and heart disease with memory loss, although the mechanisms by which the diseases might influence the brain are unclear.
Finally, memory loss can be a side effect of medicines and general anesthetics.
General Resources:
MedlinePlus general overview of memory loss
Alzheimer’s Society information on causes of dementia
U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke page on Huntington’s Disease
International Study of Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction
Alzheimer’s Society Fact Sheet on Korsakoff’s Syndrome [alchohol-related memory loss]
Parkinson’s 101 from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
