Types of amnesia
There are two forms of the disease - retrograde (the patient does not remember events that occurred before the disease) and anterograde (the patient does not remember events that occurred after the onset of the disease).
Retrograde amnesia
As a rule, it does not affect events that happened long ago in the past, i.e. the most common cases of memory loss are about the last hours or weeks, less often - months. A sign of recovery is usually a decrease in the period of lost memory, but memory of the time immediately preceding the onset of the disease returns extremely rarely.
Anterograde amnesia
It is characterized by an unlimited period of lost memory, the duration of which is closely related to the duration of post-traumatic disorder of conscious activity. If anterograde memory loss develops as a consequence of traumatic brain injury, then the period of lost memory will depend on its severity.
There are other forms of amnesia, usually classified by developmental reasons, for example, a defensive form of the disease, displacing traumatic events from memory, or post-hypnotic - loss of the ability to reproduce events experienced in a state of hypnotic trance.
Researchers also identify spontaneous memory loss (the causes of which are probably simply not identified) and Korsakoff's syndrome (the inability to record current events), which is formed due to a lack of vitamin B1.
Regardless of the form of the disease, upon recovery, the ability to learn new skills and new information is the last to return, memory returns strictly chronologically (starting with the most distant memories), and the events immediately preceding the onset of the disease often are not restored.
Causes
Among the most common causes of amnesia are primarily traumatic brain injuries, emotional shock, tumors and strokes. However, the disease can also be triggered by a number of other diseases, for example, epilepsy, mental illness, degenerative brain diseases, metabolic encephalopathy, intoxication and herpetic encephalitis.
One example of psychogenic amnesia, for example, is dissociative fugue, which develops as a result of moving to a new place of residence or a complete change of environment. The patient may be completely unable to remember his past for months or even years, and he may suddenly remember and then forget certain events.
The reason for the development of another type of disease - dissociated - is a temporary loss of memory about traumatic events (loss of loved ones, severe stress, shock), but the memory of other events and skills remains in perfect order. It is interesting that with dissociated amnesia, the memory function is impaired only in the waking state, while in an altered state of consciousness (sleep, trance, hypnosis), the patient can restore all events.
Among the causes contributing to the development of Korsakoff's syndrome, alcoholism and unhealthy diet dominate. From the point of view of the anatomy of the brain, any dysfunction of its key parts can, depending on the severity of the injury, provoke the development of amnesia.
Causes
Experts say one of the reasons for the occurrence of amnesia is the presence of mental and neurological diseases. It is these patients who often have memory problems. Pathologies that can trigger amnesia include epilepsy, dissociative disorder or multiple personality disorder, hysteria, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
Other provoking factors may be blunt or penetrating head injuries, infectious lesions of the brain or nervous system, including AIDS, hepatitis, and poisoning with toxic substances. In addition, it can be caused by: vitamin B1 deficiency in the body, hypoxia, impaired blood circulation in the brain tissue, the appearance of tumors, as well as surgical interventions.
Symptoms
Often, amnesia is accompanied by other disorders of the nervous system and cognitive function of the brain, for example, pronounced thought disorders, slurred speech, inability to control attention, anxiety or depression.
Anterograde amnesia
Patients with anterograde amnesia exhibit completely normal behavior upon first meeting, but memory problems are easily identified if recent events are mentioned in conversation.
Retrograde amnesia
People suffering from retrograde amnesia have excellent memory of recent events, but have difficulty remembering events that happened a week or month ago. This form of the disease may not affect events of the distant past, so it is necessary to analyze their memories step by step. The main difficulty in identifying retrograde amnesia is the tendency in many patients to fill in memory gaps with false memories.
Korsakoff's syndrome
The presence of symptoms of Korsakoff's syndrome is indicated by the patient's disorientation in time and space, impaired attention and false memory (the patient reports fictitious events). The most resistant to forgetting information is the memory of self-identification (first name, last name, date and place of birth).
Amnesia, in which the patient does not remember distant events of his past and personal identifying data, is most likely of a psychogenic nature, i.e. caused by serious mental disorders.
Types and signs of amnesia
The main signs of amnesia:
- Memory problems: inability to learn new things, remember the past, and so on.
- Disorientation and confusion.
- Difficulties in communication and in performing mental work due to impairments in the assimilation and reproduction of information. This may give the impression of intellectual decline.
- Confabulations are false memories.
Most patients have problems with short-term memory - they cannot remember new information. At the same time, memories of current events are not stored in memory, while events of the past are preserved. A person can recount in detail incidents from childhood or know the names of former presidents, but will not remember what he ate for breakfast or what they talked about half an hour ago. Amnestic amnesia is different from dementia. In dementia, in addition to memory loss, serious cognitive impairment is observed.
Depending on the type of amnesia, its features differ. There are many types of memory loss. Here are the main types of amnesia:
- Retrograde amnesia is a violation of long-term memory when events that occurred before the onset of the painful condition are lost from it.
- Anterograde amnesia - events that occurred after the painful state are lost from memory.
- Anterograde - a combination of retrograde and anterograde amnesia.
- Fixation amnesia is the loss of the ability to remember current events.
- Progressive: Memory loss begins with later events, but gradually spreads to earlier ones.
- Dissociative amnesia: data about personal life events and biographical facts are lost, but general knowledge is preserved. This is mental amnesia that develops as a result of psychological trauma. An option is selective amnesia, when events about a limited period during which the traumatic situation usually occurred are erased from memory.
- Dissociative fugue: a severe generalized version of dissociative amnesia, in which for several days or hours the idea of one’s own personality is completely lost, even to the point of imagining oneself as another person. Sudden, targeted escapes and journeys are made.
- Korsakov's syndrome (amnestic syndrome): fixation amnesia of the head combined with disorientation (in space and time) and pseudo-reminiscences - movements of memories in time. Retrograde and anterograde amnesia may occur.
Degrees of amnesia vary greatly in severity and extent. In some cases, a person may seem completely healthy from the outside, but sometimes he completely loses the ability to self-care. Even mild amnesia affects daily activities, quality of life and prospects. The main danger is that it is impossible to predict whether this condition will recede or worsen. Therefore, it is important to contact a specialist in time for examination and observation: with the right approach, complete or partial restoration of the lost function is possible.
Diagnostics
To treat amnesia, it is necessary to determine as accurately as possible the cause of the disease and all possible parallel provocations. To do this, when symptoms are identified, a comprehensive examination is necessary with mandatory consultation with a psychiatrist, narcologist and neurologist.
For in-depth diagnostics, special detailed testing of memory functions and examination by a traumatologist, infectious disease specialist, neurosurgeon and other highly specialized specialists are used. If necessary, a blood test, ECG, MRI, computed tomography and toxicological analysis are prescribed.
Treatment methods
To combat amnesia, doctors use an integrated approach, which involves both psychotherapeutic influence and drug therapy.
Treatment of amnesia is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor, taking into account the reasons that provoked the onset of the disease. Today, a lot of methods and techniques have been developed, and many medications are produced to help solve this problem. At the same time, special exercises are used to train memory.
Treatment
The structure and function of human memory have not yet been fully studied, and research in this area is being actively conducted throughout the world. Modern data show that in humans, as in some animals, not only the brain, but the entire nervous system is involved in the process of memorization.
Treatment of memory loss must be carried out carefully and step by step, especially to prevent the replacement of real memories with false ones. Treatment for amnesia begins with neutralizing the underlying illness or traumatic event, as well as the factors that contributed to memory loss.
A wide range of antioxidants and neuroprotectors are actively used for drug therapy, for example, cerebrolysin, memantine, cortexin, cytoflavin, Semax, citicoline, ginkgo biloba extract, glycine and vitamins. A variety of techniques and techniques of neuropsychological rehabilitation are very effective in promoting recovery.
Amnesia, the treatment of which is complicated by the psychogenic nature of the disease or for the treatment of non-progressive forms, neuropsychological therapy is effective. If the effect of the underlying disease and other provocateurs of amnesia is eliminated, drug therapy is aimed at enhancing cholinergic transmission in the brain. For this purpose, drugs such as piracetam, gliatilin, pyritinol or encephabol, Cerebrolysin and Semax are prescribed.
Treatment of amnesia
An integrated approach is used to treat amnesia. Doctors use non-medicinal and medicinal methods.
Non-drug treatment includes:
- Social and deontological assistance. It consists of informing the patient and his relatives about the presence of the disease, prognosis and possible treatment methods.
- Physiotherapy.
- Psychological correction. It is carried out to restore memory and adapt the patient. Psychotherapy helps reduce psycho-emotional stress, reduces symptoms of depression, and improves quality of life.
Surgeries are performed to remove tumors and hemorrhages, which can cause amnesia. Once the source of brain compression is eliminated, memory loss stops. However, surgery does not guarantee complete memory recovery. This depends on the extent of brain damage.
Drug treatment is selected on an individual basis. It includes drugs for etiotropic, pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy.
Prevention of amnesia
To reduce the risk of developing amnesia, doctors advise following the following preventive recommendations:
- Adhere to the principles of a balanced and rational diet.
- Consult a doctor in a timely manner when the first pathological signs appear, as well as for a preventive examination.
- Train your memory.
You can make an appointment with a neurologist at the Smart Clinic medical center by phone. You can also leave a request for a call on the website. Our employee will contact you shortly and help you choose the most convenient date and time for your consultation.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle restoration
Memory loss is psychologically quite difficult for patients to bear. In this case, the rehabilitation process is very important. Specialists help such patients recall the past and remember new information.
Important! In such a difficult period for the patient, the support and understanding of loved ones is necessary. With their help, the recovery process will go much faster.
In addition to special exercises conducted with specialists, the rehabilitation program includes the following:
- Learning poems and songs. You can start with the material you learned in childhood, and then move on to new ones.
- Balanced diet. The menu includes walnuts, wild berries, dark chocolate, carrots, broccoli, seafood, etc.
- Active lifestyle. Sports, dancing, and walks in the fresh air help restore memory.
In addition, regular brain exercises, such as crosswords and puzzles, help.
