Memory Problems

Home » Memory Problems » Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors

Memory problems can be caused by several conditions, including the following:

• Alcoholism and illegal drug use (may interfere with medications and brain chemicals and lead to thiamin deficiency [Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome])
• Brain injuries (including concussion, head trauma, and bleeding between the brain and skull) and brain tumors
• Changes in the brain (e.g., due to the abnormal buildup of proteins or shrinkage of the hippocampus [portion of the brain critical for memory functioning])
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (rare brain illness that can result in chronic dementia)
• Dehydration (low levels of fluid in the body)
• Depression, anxiety, and stress (may trigger memory issues that improve with treatment or psychogenic amnesia [rare])
• Electroconvulsive therapy
• Epilepsy and seizures
• Infections (e.g., HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, herpes, syphilis)
• Lack of oxygen to the brain (due to stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), heart attack, respiratory problems, and carbon monoxide poisoning)
• Malnutrition (e.g., lack of thiamin [vitamin B-1] or vitamin B-12)
• Medications and drug interactions
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH; excessive buildup of fluid in the brain can increase pressure and squeeze brain tissue)
• Overactive or underactive thyroid gland
• Parkinson's disease
• Sleep deprivation
• Wilson's disease (results in too much copper in the body, which can cause brain damage)

Risk factors for amnesia include brain trauma (e.g., surgery, head injury), stroke, and excessive alcohol use. Risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) include high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes. People with lower levels of education, physical and mental exercise, and socialization, and people with a mutation of the APOE (apolipoprotein E) gene also are at higher risk for developing memory problems.

© 1998-2010 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Memory Problems Resources

	Join Our Memory Problems Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar.