Page 36 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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ory loss is severe enough that you should go see a physician (if you haven't already).

Action Steps to Evaluate Your Memory

Subjectively, is your memory worsening over time based on your own perception? Do others say
that your memory is worsening?
Use the lists in this chapter to check if you have symptoms of mild or severe memory loss, and if
you have functional impairment due to memory loss.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses, separating them into the verbal and nonverbal (spatial,
3-D) memory categories, based on the Subjective Memory Questionnaire.
Have someone give you the memory tests in this chapter. Classify yourself according to the
post-test instructions into one of three categories: no memory loss, subtle to mild memory loss,
severe memory loss.
If your memory has worsened considerably over time, or if you have symptoms of severe
memory loss, or if you scored very poorly on the memory tests, you should consult a
neurologist or psychiatrist, preferably with the input of a neuropsychologist. If you have access,
go to the memory disorders clinic at your local major academic medical center.
If your memory has not worsened considerably over time and you do not have severe symptoms
and you scored well on the memory tests, or if you have only minimal to mild deficits on the
memory tests, medical consultation is not essential. In essence, if you have no memory loss or
mild memory loss, you should read further to understand and implement the Memory Program
in your daily life.

Imaging Your Brain to Diagnose Memory Loss

While neuropsychological testing is critical to define the extent of memory loss, brain imaging is
often more helpful in identifying the type of brain abnormality that may be causing the memory loss.
Brain imaging techniques broadly fall into two categories: structural (CT and MRI) and functional
(SPECT and positron-emission tomography, or PET).