The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and memory is one of the brain’s most complex functions. Memory allows humans to recall a wide range of experiences and information, including names, visual impressions, language, sounds, flavors and so on. The brain integrates these experiences, along with the accompanying emotional tone, into memories. The function of memory includes three components: encoding, storage, and retrieval. If any link in the chain is defective, memory can be impaired.
Memories are held in short-and long-term “storage.” …show more content…
Often, after appropriate treatment and a return to normal mood, the individual finds that memory functioning is restored.
In other cases, improving diet or adding an exercise regimen can also assist with memory, but only if there has not been severe loss and there is no brain trauma or disease. Memory loss caused by treatable brain infections can be reversed. In many cases, individuals who have experienced brain trauma can recover some or all of their memory functioning. Cholinesterase inhibitors do not reverse the memory loss of dementia.
5. What is dementia?
Dementia is a catch-all term for any disease or lesion affecting the brain that causes a decline in cognitive functioning. The medical term for dementia is neurocognitive disorder. Types of dementia include Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular dementia, dementia due to stroke, dementia due to HIV infection, dementia due to substance abuse, and dementia due to a number of neurological disorders.
Dementia is much more than memory loss. Other symptoms are inability to focus attention, inability to plan a sequence of behaviors, learning impairment, and speech impairment, There is a marked decline in self-care skills, and the ability to interact socially.
6. How likely is severe memory loss with advancing