Johns Hopkins Health Alert
How Memory Is Affected in Alzheimer's
In this article from our Johns Hopkins Memory Bulletin, Dr. Peter V. Rabins and colleagues explain how the brain's memory systems are affected in Alzheimer's and other memory-stealing conditions.
The human brain contains an estimated 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Chemical and electrical activity allows these neurons to perform their tasks and to communicate with one another. This elaborate communication system controls vital body functions and enables us to think, see, move, talk, remember, and experience emotions.
Normal aging leads to changes in the brain, especially in areas involved in learning and memory. Some neurons shrink; others are disabled by damaging molecules called free radicals. Daily "insults," such as high blood pressure or elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also take their toll.
Over time, these changes can make it more difficult for an older person to learn new tasks or to retrieve information from memory, such as someone's name. With Alzheimer's disease, the damage is more severe and ultimately affects larger regions of the brain.
The different memory systems -- episodic, semantic, procedural, and working -- involve multiple areas of the brain.
Posted in Memory on December 1, 2008
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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