Age-related forgetfulness is also known as mild cognitive impairment. This is a memory impairment in the form of a decreased ability to concentrate on a task or remember things for a longer period of time.
What is age-related forgetfulness?
Age forgetfulness is a memory disorder in the form of a decreased ability to focus on a task or remember things for longer periods of time. Generally, in age-related forgetfulness, vocabulary as well as language ability (see Language Disorders) is not affected by this memory disorder. However, those affected often withdraw from their social environment and avoid stressful and hectic situations in particular. Forgetfulness in old age can be very clearly distinguished from dementia, since dementia is associated with much more severe limitations of brain performance. In addition, age forgetfulness does not progress as in dementia, but stagnates at a certain level.
Causes
To date, the exact causes of senile forgetfulness are not known. However, the normal aging process plays an important role, as numerous changes occur in the brain during aging that can affect mental abilities. For example, after the age of 40, the brain becomes about 10 to 15 percent smaller and the connections between nerve cells change. For this reason, affected individuals process information more slowly and also have difficulty concentrating or remembering things. In addition, there is also the possibility that senile forgetfulness can be caused by various diseases. These include, for example, brain tumors, brain hemorrhages or infectious diseases that spread to the brain, such as neuroborreliosis. Likewise, mental illnesses, such as neurosis or depression, may be a possible cause.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Age forgetfulness is often colloquially equated with senility or with the disease Alzheimer. This is incorrect, because all three diseases mentioned are separate syndromes with different courses. From a medical point of view, pure forgetfulness in old age is not a disease, but merely an age-related development. In some people, it begins at the age of 50, but it is more common after the age of 70. A very typical symptom is that mentally active older people report things and experiences, and suddenly terms, names, cities and the like no longer occur to them. These are things that were remembered in the past. For example, the name of a well-known actor, the title of a book, the name of a city is missing. These things come back to mind at a later time, so they are not irretrievably erased. Conversely, age-related forgetfulness does not refer to things or terms that are clearly in mind. If, for example, the name of an actor is mentioned in a conversation, his face is remembered. If a book that has been read is shown or its title is mentioned, the person affected still knows that he or she has read it. Forgetfulness in old age affects people across all classes and is perceived as a threat by most older people.
Course
Mild cognitive impairment in the course of age-related forgetfulness usually takes a harmless course. However, it can be the preliminary stage of dementia. In this case, a full-blown dementia syndrome develops from age forgetfulness in 10 to 20 percent of all cases. According to new studies, about 15 percent of those affected will develop Alzheimer’s dementia within a year. For this reason, early detection is very important to assess the risk of further deterioration. The transition between the normal aging process and forgetfulness is fluid. For this reason, mild cognitive impairment is difficult to narrow down and exact numbers of cases are not known. However, estimates suggest that approximately 5 to 15 percent of people over the age of 60 suffer from corresponding memory problems.
Diagnosis
Usually, diagnosis is complicated by a gradual onset of senile forgetfulness.Attention and concentration disorders as well as forgetfulness are often not noticed by the affected person at first. For this reason, interviews with family members and friends are important, as they often notice the symptoms earlier than the person affected. When making a diagnosis, it is particularly important to distinguish the disease from other illnesses or dementia. Appropriate examinations, such as the Mini-Mental Status Test and the Clock Test, are used for this purpose. Since fatigue, nervousness or mental stress can falsify the results of these tests, it makes sense to repeat the tests regularly. Furthermore, biochemical tests of the cerebrospinal fluid are available for diagnosis. Imaging techniques, such as computed tomography, electroencephalography, or Doppler ultrasonography, may also be used in making a diagnosis and to rule out dementia.
Complications
Age-related forgetfulness can take many forms. The possible complications are equally varied. Depending on the cause and constitution of the patient, forgetfulness in old age initially reduces the ability to interact, which in the long term can lead to the formation of mental illness. Initially, however, forgetfulness in old age is much milder than dementia, for example. Typical complications include concentration disorders and slight changes in personality. Those affected often become more quick-tempered and impatient in the course of the disease, which can lead to various problems, especially in everyday life. Initial dejection, because former activities can no longer be performed as before, later develops into depression and anxiety disorders, but also serious physical complaints such as incontinence or swallowing difficulties. In the long term, senile forgetfulness reduces the ability to care for oneself and thus increases the risk of accidents (falls, fractures) and illnesses (for example, malnutrition, dehydration). Complications can also arise in the treatment of senile forgetfulness if the prescribed medication leads to an increase in forgetfulness or if therapeutic measures fail to bring about any significant improvement in the symptoms. Rarely, senile forgetfulness develops into dementia, which is usually associated with severe complications.
When should you see a doctor?
Age forgetfulness is a normal phenomenon of aging. Therefore, the increasing forgetfulness of aging people usually does not require a visit to the doctor. However, this is only true as long as the age-related forgetfulness is within normal limits. A visit to the doctor is only necessary when those affected frequently appear confused and disoriented. Those affected can counteract normal age-related forgetfulness themselves with targeted memory exercises and concentration training. In the trade there are different preparations on Ginkgo basis, which are to be effective against age forgetfulness. Possibly however also a preparation prescribed by the physician can stimulate the blood circulation in the brain. A visit to the doctor, undertaken to be on the safe side, may reveal that forgetfulness in old age is already the first sign of an incipient dementia disease. In this respect, it is advisable to pay attention to whether age forgetfulness is getting worse or remains within normal limits. Typical for a dementia-like disease is the progression of the symptoms. In the case of normal age-related forgetfulness, on the other hand, the cognitive disorders remain within normal limits. The neurologist consulted can determine how far the age-related forgetfulness has already progressed by questioning the relatives. If necessary, he can use imaging procedures and tests to rule out or verify whether the age-related forgetfulness is a preliminary stage of dementia. If it is not, cognitive abilities can be improved, at least temporarily, with medication or targeted exercises.
Treatment and therapy
Currently, there is no therapy for senile forgetfulness that can improve symptoms. Although the drugs used for dementia exist, no concrete research results are yet available with regard to a treatment against age-related forgetfulness. As a rule, antidementia drugs and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used. Ginkgo extract is often used to treat senile forgetfulness, but here, too, it has not been scientifically proven that there is a positive effect on cognitive abilities.Furthermore, cognitive training programs can be used as part of psychotherapy to improve memory performance for a short time. However, these only help if the affected person carries them out regularly. Those affected can also become more mentally efficient through physical exercise in the fresh air, as blood flow to the brain is improved.
Outlook and prognosis
Age-related forgetfulness represents a common symptom of older age and is usually not dangerous for the affected person. However, this forgetfulness results in a significant reduction in the quality of life and further in severe limitations in everyday life. In some cases, those affected are dependent on the help of other people or caregivers. They can also be a danger to themselves due to their forgetfulness in old age. Furthermore, there are also disturbances in concentration and coordination. Often the patients cannot remember their own place of residence. It is not uncommon for age-related forgetfulness to lead to severe fatigue or nervousness. The affected persons themselves sometimes also unintentionally represent a burden for their children and relatives. Changes in personality can also occur, so that the patients appear aggressive or irritable. The risk of accidents increases significantly and in many cases self-care is no longer possible for the affected person. Direct treatment of senile forgetfulness is not possible. With the help of various medications, the symptoms can be limited if necessary.
Prevention
Due to the normal aging process, prevention of senile forgetfulness is also not possible. However, those affected should pay attention to sufficient exercise so that the brain cells are supplied with enough oxygen. In addition, a healthy diet also provides the necessary nutrients and vitamins that support good brain performance. Likewise, regular mental exercises can train the brain.
Aftercare
One of the purposes of follow-up care is to prevent the recurrence of disease. However, this is not possible after the diagnosis of senile forgetfulness. Currently, no therapy exists that can cure the typical symptoms. The consequences of available medications are too little known so far. However, the visit to the doctor is worthwhile. Because there is the danger that age forgetfulness develops into dementia. Then slight concentration difficulties turn into disorientation. Doctors therefore test their patients’ mental abilities as part of follow-up care. Sometimes imaging procedures such as CT scans and Doppler sonographies are also used. Furthermore, aftercare aims to help patients learn how to live their daily lives despite their forgetfulness. This is not always easy. Doctors can prescribe psychotherapy for this purpose. Cognitive training promises to alleviate the symptoms. Exercise sessions should be integrated into everyday life, as this provides the brain with sufficient oxygen. Changes in character, often prone to mild irritability, should also be discussed. For the success of follow-up care for senile forgetfulness, it is crucial to involve relatives. This is because they are usually the first to notice the typical signs and are a key point of contact for medical professionals.
What you can do yourself
Age-related forgetfulness is common and widespread, but it is difficult to treat with medication, as this can cause far worse side effects. Mostly, physical or occupational therapy is used to counteract the symptoms, but there are also numerous exercises and tips to limit the symptoms yourself as a sufferer. Probably the most important course of action is to take preventive measures before the disease occurs. Sufferers should be aware that they benefit from any kind of prevention. In prevention as well as in treatment, a healthy lifestyle plays the most important role. Sufficient exercise and a nutritious diet can already help to improve brain performance. If you strengthen the body, you strengthen the mind at the same time. Suitable foods for the brain are whole grain products, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Adequate fluid intake is also of great importance. Furthermore, one can train the brain by doing mental exercise. However, it does not help much to solve the same kind of crossword puzzle every evening. The head always needs new challenges.Above all, games in a group or at least with a partner are suitable, in which spontaneity is required. However, those affected must also be aware that it is quite normal for brain performance to decline with age and that this is no reason to despair.
