BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMemory lossForgetfulness; Amnesia; Impaired memory; Loss of memory; Amnestic syndrome; Dementia - memory loss; Mild cognitive impairment - memory lossMemory loss is unusual forgetfulness. You may not be able to remember new events, recall one or more memories of the past, or both.The memory loss may be for a short time and then resolve (transient). Or, it may not go away, and, depending on the cause, it can get worse over time.In severe cases, such memory impairment may interfere with daily living activities. Causes Normal aging can cause some forgetfulness. It is normal to have some trouble learning new material or needing more time to remember it. But normal aging does not lead to dramatic memory loss. Such memory loss is due to other diseases.Memory loss can be caused by many things. To determine a cause, your health care provider will ask if the problem came on suddenly or slowly. Many areas of the brain help you create and retrieve memories. A problem in any of these areas can lead to memory loss.Memory loss may result from a new injury to the brain, which is caused by or is present after:Brain tumor Brain tumorA primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer treatment, such as brain radiation, bone marrow transplant, or chemotherapy Brain radiationRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone marrow transplantA bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatt...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Concussion or head trauma ConcussionA traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head. There are three types of TBI:Mild TBI, a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Not enough oxygen getting to the brain when your heart or breathing is stopped for too long Severe brain infection or infection around the brain Brain infectionEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection around the brainMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Major surgery or severe illness, including brain surgery Sudden, temporary loss of memory (transient global amnesia) of unclear cause Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke Transient ischemic attack (TIA)A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief time. A person will have stroke-like symptoms for ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fluid collection in the brain (hydrocephalus) HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DementiaDementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sometimes, memory loss occurs with mental health problems, such as:After a major, traumatic or stressful event Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Depression or other mental health disorders, such as schizophreniaDepressionDepression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. Most people feel this way once in a while. Major depression is a mood disorder. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to tell the difference between what is real and not real. It also makes it hard to think clearl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Memory loss may be a sign of dementia. Dementia also affects thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. Common types of dementia associated with memory loss are:Alzheimer disease Alzheimer diseaseDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vascular dementia Lewy body dementia Fronto-temporal dementia Progressive supranuclear palsy Progressive supranuclear palsyProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a movement disorder that occurs from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal pressure hydrocephalus Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a form of brain damage that leads to a rapid decrease in movement and loss of mental function.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of memory loss include:Alcohol or use of prescription or illegal drugs Brain infections such as Lyme disease, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS Lyme diseaseLyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of one of several types of ticks.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SyphilisSyphilis is a bacterial infection that is most often spread through sexual contact.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overuse of medicines, such as barbiturates, opioids or hypnotics HypnoticsSome people may need medicines to help with sleep for a short period of time. But in the long run, making changes in your lifestyle and sleep habits...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) most often causes short-term memory loss Electroconvulsive therapyElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses an electric current to treat depression and some other mental illnesses.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Epilepsy that is not well controlled EpilepsyEpilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person has repeated seizures over time. Seizures are episodes of uncontrolled and abnormal electrical activi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Illness that results in the loss of, or damage to brain tissue or nerve cells, such as Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, or multiple sclerosis Parkinson diseaseParkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Huntington diseaseHuntington disease (HD) is a genetic disorder in which nerve cells in certain parts of the brain waste away, or degenerate. The disease is passed do...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Low levels of important nutrients or vitamins, such as low vitamin B1 or B12B12Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care A person with memory loss needs a lot of support.It helps to show the person familiar objects, music, or and photos or play familiar music. It is important to write down when the person should take any medicine or do other critical tasks. If a person needs help with everyday tasks, or if safety or nutrition is a concern, you may want to consider extended-care facilities, such as a nursing home. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the person's medical history and symptoms. This will usually include asking questions of family members and friends. For this reason, they may be interviewed in-person or by phone.Medical history questions may include:Type of memory loss, such as short-term or long-term Time pattern, such as how long the memory loss has lasted or whether it comes and goes Things that triggered memory loss, such as head injury or surgery Tests that may be done include: Blood tests for specific diseases that are suspected (such as low vitamin B12 or thyroid disease) Cerebral angiography Cerebral angiographyCerebral angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cognitive tests (neuropsychological/psychometric tests) Cognitive testsMental status testing is done to check a person's thinking ability and to determine if any problems are getting better or worse. It is also called n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan or MRI of the head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electroencephalogram (EEG) ElectroencephalogramAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbar puncture Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Positron emission tomography (PET) scan Genetic testsTreatment depends on the cause of memory loss. Your provider can tell you more.Open ReferencesReferencesKirshner HS, Gifford KA. Intellectual and memory impairments. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 7.Oyebode F. Disturbance of memory. In: Oyebode F, ed. Sims' Symptoms in the Mind: Textbook of Descriptive Psychopathology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 5.AllVideoImagesTogCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 12/31/2023 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Memory lossForgetfulness; Amnesia; Impaired memory; Loss of memory; Amnestic syndrome; Dementia - memory loss; Mild cognitive impairment - memory lossMemory loss is unusual forgetfulness. You may not be able to remember new events, recall one or more memories of the past, or both.The memory loss may be for a short time and then resolve (transient). Or, it may not go away, and, depending on the cause, it can get worse over time.In severe cases, such memory impairment may interfere with daily living activities. Causes Normal aging can cause some forgetfulness. It is normal to have some trouble learning new material or needing more time to remember it. But normal aging does not lead to dramatic memory loss. Such memory loss is due to other diseases.Memory loss can be caused by many things. To determine a cause, your health care provider will ask if the problem came on suddenly or slowly. Many areas of the brain help you create and retrieve memories. A problem in any of these areas can lead to memory loss.Memory loss may result from a new injury to the brain, which is caused by or is present after:Brain tumor Brain tumorA primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer treatment, such as brain radiation, bone marrow transplant, or chemotherapy Brain radiationRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone marrow transplantA bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatt...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Concussion or head trauma ConcussionA traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head. There are three types of TBI:Mild TBI, a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Not enough oxygen getting to the brain when your heart or breathing is stopped for too long Severe brain infection or infection around the brain Brain infectionEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection around the brainMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Major surgery or severe illness, including brain surgery Sudden, temporary loss of memory (transient global amnesia) of unclear cause Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke Transient ischemic attack (TIA)A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief time. A person will have stroke-like symptoms for ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fluid collection in the brain (hydrocephalus) HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DementiaDementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sometimes, memory loss occurs with mental health problems, such as:After a major, traumatic or stressful event Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Depression or other mental health disorders, such as schizophreniaDepressionDepression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. Most people feel this way once in a while. Major depression is a mood disorder. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to tell the difference between what is real and not real. It also makes it hard to think clearl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Memory loss may be a sign of dementia. Dementia also affects thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. Common types of dementia associated with memory loss are:Alzheimer disease Alzheimer diseaseDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vascular dementia Lewy body dementia Fronto-temporal dementia Progressive supranuclear palsy Progressive supranuclear palsyProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a movement disorder that occurs from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal pressure hydrocephalus Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a form of brain damage that leads to a rapid decrease in movement and loss of mental function.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of memory loss include:Alcohol or use of prescription or illegal drugs Brain infections such as Lyme disease, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS Lyme diseaseLyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of one of several types of ticks.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SyphilisSyphilis is a bacterial infection that is most often spread through sexual contact.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overuse of medicines, such as barbiturates, opioids or hypnotics HypnoticsSome people may need medicines to help with sleep for a short period of time. But in the long run, making changes in your lifestyle and sleep habits...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) most often causes short-term memory loss Electroconvulsive therapyElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses an electric current to treat depression and some other mental illnesses.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Epilepsy that is not well controlled EpilepsyEpilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person has repeated seizures over time. Seizures are episodes of uncontrolled and abnormal electrical activi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Illness that results in the loss of, or damage to brain tissue or nerve cells, such as Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, or multiple sclerosis Parkinson diseaseParkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Huntington diseaseHuntington disease (HD) is a genetic disorder in which nerve cells in certain parts of the brain waste away, or degenerate. The disease is passed do...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Low levels of important nutrients or vitamins, such as low vitamin B1 or B12B12Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care A person with memory loss needs a lot of support.It helps to show the person familiar objects, music, or and photos or play familiar music. It is important to write down when the person should take any medicine or do other critical tasks. If a person needs help with everyday tasks, or if safety or nutrition is a concern, you may want to consider extended-care facilities, such as a nursing home. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the person's medical history and symptoms. This will usually include asking questions of family members and friends. For this reason, they may be interviewed in-person or by phone.Medical history questions may include:Type of memory loss, such as short-term or long-term Time pattern, such as how long the memory loss has lasted or whether it comes and goes Things that triggered memory loss, such as head injury or surgery Tests that may be done include: Blood tests for specific diseases that are suspected (such as low vitamin B12 or thyroid disease) Cerebral angiography Cerebral angiographyCerebral angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cognitive tests (neuropsychological/psychometric tests) Cognitive testsMental status testing is done to check a person's thinking ability and to determine if any problems are getting better or worse. It is also called n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan or MRI of the head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electroencephalogram (EEG) ElectroencephalogramAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbar puncture Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Positron emission tomography (PET) scan Genetic testsTreatment depends on the cause of memory loss. Your provider can tell you more.Open ReferencesReferencesKirshner HS, Gifford KA. Intellectual and memory impairments. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 7.Oyebode F. Disturbance of memory. In: Oyebode F, ed. Sims' Symptoms in the Mind: Textbook of Descriptive Psychopathology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 5.