Normal Aging and Memory
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What is Normal Memory?
It is normal to forget some things- at any age. It is also normal to become more forgetful as you age. Normal aging may result in trouble learning new material. It may take longer to learn new things, and to recall new things that have been learned. It may take longer to retrieve information from the filing cabinet of your brain- information that used to be readily accessible, such as names of people or places. But unless disease or injury of some type is present, normal aging does not lead to a dramatic or severe memory loss.
Neuroscientists and physicians have not come to a definitive conclusion or agreement on what constitutes “normal memory.” That is because just like aptitude for mathematics, or sleep patterns (e.g., the night owl vs. the early bird), memory is different for all of us. What may be normal memory for you may not be normal memory for me.
What is the Difference Between Forgetting and Memory Loss?
When we talk about “memory loss,” we are referring to an unusual forgetfulness. Memory loss may come on slowly or suddenly, as a result of a disease (such as Alzheimer’s Disease) or brain injury. Memory loss often accompanies emotional trauma. Stress and Traumatic Stress can also impair memory. Impaired memory is often seen in individuals diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
How Much is Normal to Forget?
Simply, there is no definitive answer to this, because as yet there is no clear consensus within the medical community and no definitive test has been developed to assess “normal memory.” However, it is possible to determine if the lapses in memory you are experiencing are normal forgetfulness, or symptomatic of something more serious. Scientists have studied 7 types of normal memory problems, to better understand the differences between normal forgetting and the forgetting and memory problems that happen when cognitive impairment is present.
Seven Types of Normal Memory Problems
1. Transience: The Tendency to forget facts or events the further in time the further one gets from the fact or event. True to the expression, “use it or lose it”, we are all more likely to remember that which we think about often. Many of us have learned to take tests by studying at the last minute, as close to the exam as possible, throwing the information into our short term memory. The further we get from the studying and test in time, the less we remember. It is likely that those who have studied using memory tricks such as Mnemonics to stock the memories into long term memory, will remember the content far longer. Transcience, and the use-it-or-lose-it phenomenon is a cognitive mechanism that is useful to our brains, effectively allowing us to clean the filing cabinet of our brain of the items that are no longer useful, making more space.
2. Absentmindedness: Not focusing in the moment and then forgetting as a result of not focusing.
3. Blocking: “It’s on the tip of my tongue” phenomenon.
4. Misattribution: When you remember something accurately in part, but a piece of it is incorrect.. e.g., you think that when you were with your your best friend at the shopping mall, he told you he was having financial problems- and he did say that, but he said it when you were talking with him on the telephone.
5. Suggestibility: What you remember is not accurate. This is because while you were trying to remember one thing, you learned information about something else, and the two become overlapped- leading to a “false Memory.” but based on research studies, it is likely that some allegations of abuse are the result of suggestibility during questioning or suggestibility associated with “recovered” memories under hypnosis. It is a fact of normal memory that suggestibility operates to occasionally produce false memories. Scientist do not know whether the memory problem of suggestibility gets worse as people age.
6. Bias: Our memories are not objective. They are influenced by our experiences, perceptions, beliefs, and moods- both at the time the experience occurred, and later, in recollection. Sometimes, when people talk about experiences they have had, in “re-telling,” there will be a different “spin.” They may even be perceived to be lying- since they are presenting virtually the same facts in a different way. In fact, they may well be telling the truth, as they recall it at that moment, as a result of the impact of attitudes and experience on memory. People do not have the capacity for photographic, unbiased memories – we are simply not built to do that. There has been little research on how bias effects memory, and so it is unknown whether the impact of bias on memory naturally increases with age.
7. Persistence: When the upsetting memories just won’t quit, even though you wish you could forget them. People who are clinically depressed, and people with post traumatic stress syndrome are often victims of intrusive memories that they can not stop. Are persistent memories normal when they are in the context of upsetting experience? If you stub your toes, you will fell pain. The pain is in the context of the injury, and pain is a normal response in that context. Persistent memories are a normal memory problem, because though unpleasant, they are a normal response to an abnormal experience.
What is Abnormal Memory Loss? Mild Cognitive Impairment? Dementia?
Abnormal memory loss is an unusual or dramatic forgetfulness. When doctors assess memory loss to determine whether it is mild or severe, they look at overall cognitive functioning, to determine whether it is only memory that is being negatively impacted, or whether other parts of cognitive functioning, such as thinking, learning, reasoning and exercising judgment are being negatively impacted along with memory.
When memory impairment involves just one area of cognitive functioning, such as memory, that is referred to as “Mild Cognitive Impairment”.
When more than one area of cognitive functioning is impacted, that is referred to as Dementia.
Abnormal memory loss may also be related to a disease, such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
How Does Memory Change With Age?
Mild memory loss can be expected with age. However genes, lifestyle and physical health will all impact the soundness of memory and brain functioning as the body ages. It is NOT an inevitable result that with age will come mild cognitive impairment, senile dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Some of the world’s sharpest and most productive minds have remained sharp until death- well into their nineties and hundreds.
How Can Memory Loss Be Prevented?
Memory and cognitive functioning are essential to remaining independent as we age. All of the physical strength and health in the world will not help if you can not balance your checkbook, or remember where you do your banking. The best way to protect your memory as you age is to assess and understand the factors in your life that will influence the health and state of your memory as you age. Then, take action to minimize the negative toll these factors will take on your memory.
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Whether you are experiencing memory problems or not, recognize that memory is not static. It can get better. To learn specific things you can do to: Strengthen, Sustain and Improve Memory.
