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Not every memory lapse signals Alzheimer's disease

I am in my mid-50s and have recently been experiencing short-term memory lapses. Should I be concerned that this is an early indication of Alzheimer's disease? If not, what could be causing this?

Misplacing a set of keys, forgetting a street address, or losing an important piece of paper on a messy desk are all normal memory lapses. In the fast-paced society that we inhabit today, a good, working memory is often taken for granted. Yet, when our memory malfunctions or we experience slower recall time, it is natural for us to become anxious.

Small memory lapses, slight confusion, or occasional forgetfulness may simply signal an overload of information or a lack of proper attention and concentration. "People experience short-term memory lapses for numerous reasons, including distraction, sensory losses, fatigue, emotional factors, stress, and information overload," says Robert C. Green, M.D., clinical director of Boston University's Alzheimer's Disease Center.

Some fear, however, that benign evidence of memory loss is the first sign of Alzheimer's disease or another dementia-related illness. But, according to Green, that is not necessarily the case. "Alzheimer's disease is a serious problem that can affect 10 percent of those over 65, and 30 to 50 percent of those over 85," he says. "But in younger people, most memory loss is due to other factors such as medications or anxiety."

Although memory changes are a natural part of the aging process, Green says, memory lapses should be considered serious if they begin to affect daily life or if occurrences dramatically increase over a period of several months to years. "This could be a sign of a dementing process such as Alzheimer's disease or small strokes," he says.

Alzheimer's disease afflicts patients beginning with recent memory problems, and then progresses to affect all older memory, language, and thinking. The disease occurs because of changes in the brain; leading theories have implicated the deposition of a toxic protein called beta-amyloid. The illness affects episodic memory, such as remembering events of daily life, including names, appointments, and recent conversations. In addition, many people with developing Alzheimer's disease will begin to experience difficulties in understanding abstract ideas and completing complex tasks. "As the disease progresses," Green says, "patients experience progressive degeneration of the brain, can no longer complete even simple tasks, and may eventually require total care."

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, Green says that it may be possible to take proactive measures to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. "There is some evidence that vitamin E can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease," he says. Green and his colleagues at the NIH-funded BU Alzheimer's Disease Center, recently launched a first-of-its-kind Alzheimer's disease prevention study. The Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) Study seeks to determine whether common anti-inflammatory medications can prevent Alzheimer's disease from developing in those who are at highest risk (see Classifieds).

Sanford Auerbach, M.D., who along with Green is cosite director of ADAPT, warns that "anti-inflammatory medications are not yet proven to work for preventing Alzheimer's disease. Since they have side effects that could be dangerous if not monitored, no one should be taking them for this purpose outside of a carefully controlled research trial such as ADAPT."

For more information about the Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial call 617-638-5425 (toll-free; 1-888-458-BUAD).

"Health Matters" is written in cooperation with staff members of Boston Medical Center. For more information on Alzheimer's disease or other health matters, call 617-638-6767.

16 March 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations