Page 92 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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or medication toxicity, because it is too subtle to affect daily functioning. Then the process of age-
related memory loss, which has been progressing slowly but steadily in the meantime, catches up and
adds an extra wallop that leads to clear-cut memory loss. In other words, the two types of memory
loss may each be very mild, but when added together they cross the threshold above which most
people recognize the presence of memory loss.

Clearly, it can be risky to assume that subtle memory loss is always due to the “normal” aging
process. As Jack Kaufman's story illustrates, medication toxicity is a common, often unrecognized
cause of generalized cognitive decline, including memory loss. Medication toxicity is only one of the
common causes of memory loss that can be reversed by early recognition and intervention. Another
example is when older people cannot recall what was said, because they suffer from a hearing loss.
In these situations, the solution is a hearing aid, not treatment with memory-enhancing medications.

Identifying Reversible Causes of Memory Loss Is Critical

The importance of making sure that there is no potentially reversible cause of memory loss cannot be
overemphasized. Just imagine taking a memory enhancer like ginkgo biloba or vitamin E when in
fact the root cause is medication toxicity or alcohol abuse or depression or hormonal abnormalities.
Not only will the memory-enhancing medication have no positive effect, but the fact that things do
not improve will also mislead you into thinking that the memory loss must be the first sign of
Alzheimer's disease. This can be disastrous, both emotionally and practically. Therefore, if you
suffer from mild to moderate memory loss, do not automatically assume that you have age-related
memory loss. Rather, you should examine your habits and daily routine to see if there might be an
identifiable, potentially reversible, cause.

In the next few chapters you will learn about these specific causes of memory loss and the optimal
therapeutic strategies to reverse them. I will focus on common disorders that frequently lead to
memory loss, and will not discuss less common causes of memory loss, which include cancer (spread
to the brain or general toxicity), multiple sclerosis, HIV infection, and Lyme disease. High fever and
other conditions can cause acute memory loss as part of “delirium,’’ but these illnesses tend to occur
in hospitalized patients and are easily identified; hence they won't be discussed in this book.