Short-Term Memory Loss in Alzheimer's Disease

Short-term memory loss can be a sign of early-stage Alzheimer's disease. It can manifest as difficulty creating new memories or problems retrieving them. For example, someone with early Alzheimer's disease may forget a place they recently visited or a question they just asked.

Memory loss in Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia occurs when there is damage to the parts of the brain that store and retrieve memories.

What Short-Term Memory Loss Looks Like in Dementia

Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, and short-term memory impairment is one of the earlier symptoms. Short-term memory is the memory of events that occurred between a few minutes ago and a day or two ago.

A person with dementia may have difficulty retrieving new memories, which can cause them to repeat questions they just asked. Repeating questions is one of the first signs of short-term memory impairment in dementia.

Memory lapses may happen more frequently as the condition progresses. Eventually, these memory lapses can interfere with the person's ability to perform daily tasks.

Other Causes of Short-Term Memory Impairment

There are a variety of reasons you might experience short-term memory impairment, many of which are temporary or easily treatable. Short-term memory loss can have physical causes, but it is often caused by emotional issues or mood disorders. Many of the causes can be treated with various therapies.

Mood disorders and adjustment issues that can interfere with short-term memory include:

• Acute grief
• Chronic depression
• Stress/feeling overwhelmed
• Anxiety
• Fatigue/lack of sleep

Medical problems that can interfere with short-term memory:

• Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Other kinds of dementia
• Delirium from an infection or illness
• Head injuries
• Conditions in the brain (tumor, infection, blood clots)
• Certain diseases of the thyroid, kidney, or liver
• Medications, among them the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine) and the heartburn drug Tagamet (cimetidine)
• Chronic or acute alcohol or drug use

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you notice a persistent problem with your short-term memory or someone else has identified this as a concern, you should seek an evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. If it's related to a reversible condition, you'll be able to get treatment to improve the symptoms.

If it's caused by dementia, like Alzheimer's, early treatment can help you cope with that new diagnosis.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will ask you about your memory loss, your general health, your emotional state, and any recent injuries or illnesses you may have had. They will also ask about medication use and how much alcohol you drink. They may also discuss your diet and how well you sleep.

After a general assessment, your healthcare provider may ask you to complete a test that helps evaluate your memory.

Some tests, such as the mini-mental status examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), can be used to help determine whether there is a decline in other aspects of executive function (thinking skills), which can help identify the cause of short-term memory loss.

If Alzheimer's is suspected, your healthcare provider may order imaging tests such as an MRI, CT, or PET scan. Other tests such as blood tests and neurological exams may be used to help confirm the diagnosis.

Summary

Short-term memory loss can be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, though there are many other conditions that can cause short-term memory loss. A person with early Alzheimer's may frequently misplace things or may ask the same questions repeatedly.

If your memory loss is interfering with your ability to perform daily tests, it is a good idea to see a healthcare provider. A healthcare provider will be able to evaluate your symptoms and determine the cause of your memory loss.