Memory loss

Abstract

Purpose of review: Memory loss can be due to a wide variety of causes. We provide new information about the biology of common genetic and acquired causes of memory loss in older adults. Recent findings:New data are available about the genetics of Alzheimer disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia. Amyloid PET, FDG-PET, and MRI have improved our understanding of how mild cognitive impairment evolves to AD. Several studies have shown links between concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Healthy eating and regular exercise have been demonstrated to slow cognitive decline in older adults. Randomized trials continue to show benefits for cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in patients with AD and DLB. Summary: New causes of memory loss are still being identified. More sophisticated diagnostic tools have improved our ability to make earlier diagnoses in older adults with memory loss. Neurol Clin Pract 2016;6:523-529 R ecent large neuropathologic studies have shown that Alzheimer disease (AD) is still the most common of the chronic neurodegenerative memory disorders, but it is often associated with several comorbid histologic findings, such as cortical Lewy bodies, hippocampal sclerosis, and microinfarcts. Amyloid hypothesis and the genetics of AD While it is well-accepted that memory loss and other cognitive impairments in AD are the result of dysfunction in neuronal networks and synapses, the exact molecular and pathologic steps generating the clinical symptoms of AD remain an issue of some debate. Some have argued that b-amyloid (Ab) is a necessary but insufficient factor to explain the etiology of AD, arguing that Ab aggregations in the brain and decreased Ab levels in spinal fluid are detectable 15-20 years before the clinical symptoms of AD.2 Contradicting this view are recent findings from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), which demonstrated that decreases in CSF Ab levels are often not apparent until after there is a noticeable decline in cognitive function, a decline in metabolic activity on FDG-PET, and

Moringa oleifera Seed Extract Alleviates Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Mice

“…ACh is unique among the classical neurotransmitters because its synaptic action is terminated by ACh hydrolysis by AChE ( Ballard et al, 2005 ). However, excessive AChE activity results in constant ACh deficiency and cognitive deficits ( Deak et al, 2016 ). Therefore, inhibition of AChE activity serves as a therapeutic target for the treatment of senile dementia, AD and Parkinson’s disease.…”

Cholinergic Enhancing and Antioxidant Effect of Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. (Fabaceae) Landrace Aqueous Extract on Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Male Swiss Mice

“…Lesions, Long-term Potentiation (LTP) saturation, pharmacological inhibition, the loss-offunction of receptors within the hippocampus may affect spatial learning and memory [59][60][61][62]. Cognitive disorder has been associated with constant Ach deficiency which results from overexpression of AchE activity [63]. Hence, inhibition of AChE can be a potential source of treatment for AD related cognitive impairment.…”

Effect of Cocos nucifera L. Water on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in the Wistar Rat

“…ACh is an example of a classical neurotransmitter because ACh hydrolysis by AChE terminates its synaptic activity (Ballard et al 2005). In another vein, an excessive amount of AChE activity leads to chronic low levels of acetylcholine and thus results in cognitive deficits (Deak et al 2016). Therefore, one therapeutic strategy for managing Alzheimer's disease is inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase activity.…”