What Portion of the Brain is Responsible for Memory Loss?
The hippocampus is responsible for forming and storing memories, so any deterioration or interference in this portion of the brain would result in memory loss. The size, strength, and functionality of this portion of the brain would determine whether someone is capable of having a good memory or not.
All of us have had those days where we can’t remember a certain word, a long term memory, or even a short term memory. You may find that your memory is better on some days while worse on others. This may leave you wondering where the inconsistency might be coming from. You may think you’re losing it or that you’re experiencing early symptoms related to Alzheimer’s or dementia. The good news is that memory loss is often associated with issues that aren’t related to an underlying disease.
Let’s explore what causes memory loss.
To The Point - What Causes Memory Loss
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mind Altering Substances
- Poor Digestion
- Poor Diet
- Inflammation
- Prescription Medication
- Chemotherapy
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Insomnia or Lack of Sleep
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Thyroid Imbalance
- Infections
- Brain Tumor
- Head Trauma or Injury
- Sleep Apnea
- Seizures
- Aging
What Causes Memory Loss
- Stress – People with chronic stress most likely have an overactive amygdala, which is the portion of the brain responsible for the “fight or flight” response. Chronic stress keeps the amygdala highly active, while suppressing the “calming” hippocampus. The hippocampus is responsible for memory, fear inhibition, and stress control, so it essentially keeps the amygdala in check. Chronic stress can eventually deteriorate the hippocampus. This means the loss of this portion of the brain weakens your ability to control stress, as well as form and store new memories. The amygdala is responsible for memory as well, but it’s primarily focused on fear memories rather than memories in general.
- Anxiety – People with anxiety most likely have an overactive amygdala which could result in an under-active hippocampus. Continuously experiencing anxiety creates stress in the body, which can deteriorate the hippocampus. A weakened hippocampus won’t be able to control stress efficiently, which would leave the person vulnerable to more stress, more anxiety, depression, memory loss, and learning impairment. The amygdala is responsible for fear memories while the hippocampus is responsible for memories in general. This means the anxious person will only be accumulating unnecessary fearful information, leaving less room for other memories.
- Depression makes it difficult to focus on everyday tasks, decision making and cognition, resulting in short term memory loss.
- Mind Altering Substances – Alcohol & marijuana slows down the nerve communication in the hippocampus, which can result in short term memory loss, while cocaine is known to reduce gray matter in the brain. Gray matter is responsible for cognition and memory, which means that cocaine can literally shrink the brain.
- Poor digestion – There’s a strong connection between the brain and the gut, called the gut-brain axis. 90% of the communication between the two are coming from the gut. Any digestive issues can interfere with this communication channel. Poor digestion also contributes to increased inflammation, interfering with the neural pathways to the brain.
- Poor diet that’s high in processed foods, sugars, and carbohydrates can lead to excess inflammation. Inflammation blocks the neural pathways from communicating properly, resulting in poor cognition and memory.
- Inflammation – Cytokines are a protein that communicate inflammatory signals throughout the body. They block oxygen from reaching the tissues from the capillaries, resulting in low oxygen. Low oxygen levels in the brain can lead to cognitive decline. Inflammation blocks the neural pathways causing problems with the communication signals, making it harder for the brain to function properly. Some studies indicate that those with high levels of inflammatory markers during their mid 50’s and 60’s show a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life. However, more research needs to be done on the correlation between inflammation and degenerative disease.
- Prescription medications like anti-anxiety meds, anti-depressants, sleeping pills, cholesterol medication, hypertension medication, and antihistamines.
- Chemotherapy can cause what’s called “chemo brain.” This is when those undergoing treatment for cancer experience memory loss, trouble concentrating, multitasking, and learning new things.
- Pregnancy can cause “pregnancy brain” which can be due to excessive, fluctuating hormones, lack of sleep, and lifestyle changes to prepare for pregnancy.
- Menopause causes a significant drop in serotonin and progesterone levels that can interfere with your sleep. A lack of sleep can cause memory loss. Estrogen may also play a role in the growth and transfer of neurons that send signals in the brain related to memory. The good news is that memory can return to normal once menopause is over.
- Insomnia or lack of sleep interferes with the pathways in your brain. It’s during sleep that short term memories either get stored as long term memories or forgotten. If you’re not getting enough sleep, then your brain won’t have a chance to convert short term memories into long term memories.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency can impact healthy nerve function in the brain, making it harder to remember things and focus. Some studies suggest that a B12 deficiency can even increase your risk of dementia. Vitamin B12 is responsible for healthy nerve function, red blood cells, and energy. You can get your levels checked at your doctor or purchase an at home test kit.
- Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to cognitive decline and loss of memory. Some studies suggest that a vitamin D deficiency can even lead to dementia.
- Thyroid Imbalance interferes with cellular transfer within the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause cognitive problems, so make sure your levels are ok if you’re experiencing unexplained memory loss. Some say that cognitive issues related to a thyroid imbalance can mimic those of mild dementia.
- Infections can cause inflammation in the brain, especially the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. This could include bacterial or viral infections. Inflammation is the body’s defense mechanism to protect it against harmful bacteria, viruses, and infection. It’s when inflammation turns chronic that it becomes damaging to the body.
- Brain Tumor can affect memory and cognition if it’s located on or near that part of the brain responsible for memory. For example, a tumor pressing on the hippocampus can affect memory, while a tumor pressing on the frontal lobe or temporal lobe can affect rational or decision making.
- Head trauma or injury affecting the hippocampus can cause inflammation, as well as damage to this portion of the brain.
- Sleep Apnea can cause a person to remain in stages 1 or 2 non-REM sleep for the majority of the night, meaning they spend less time in REM deep sleep. Memories are mostly stored during deep sleep, so not getting enough would impact the brain’s ability to store memories.
- Seizures – Repeated seizures can cause loss of brain cells in the hippocampus, thereby contributing to memory loss.
- Aging related memory loss is common and it’s most likely due to the deterioration of the hippocampus over time. As we age, we spend less time in REM sleep, which is the stage of sleep that our memories are consolidated and stored. Normal age-related memory loss would include occasional bad decision making or trouble remembering words. Memory loss that would be more closely associated with Alzheimer’s or dementia would be making bad decisions often, forgetting the day or year, or trouble having conversations.
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