Bailey Divis ZOOL 2111 Dr. Kristen Baum Are we able to prevent memory loss as we age?

Life is given meaning with the memories we create. As we age, objects and the memories associated with them remind us of the trials and joys we have experienced throughout our life. We are able to share precious memories that anchor us to the world; however, with these precious memories comes irony. As we grow older and are able to express our wisdom, we are confronted with the dreaded reality of diminishing physical and mental health (Phenice and Griffore 2013). Therefore, what happens when we lose the ability to reminisce? In the following paragraphs, we will look at what memory loss actually is, the common causes of memory loss, and the preventative steps we can take to lessen the chances of memory loss.

With life expectancy increasing, so is the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, or as we know it memory loss (Naqvi 2013). Memory can be defined as the ability by which the mind stores and remembers information. However, memory is not just a unitary term, but rather a spectrum of different categories. Researchers typically branch the word memory into two different categories: declarative (explicit) and nondeclarative (implicit). Declarative memory, also known as explicit memory is the consciously assembled memories that are typically factbased. Episodic memory, autobiographical memory, and semantic memory are all examples of declarative memory. For example, a person might remember getting their high school diploma

on graduation night. This is a type of autobiographical memory where someone is remembering what high school they graduated from, who gave them their diploma, and how they received their diploma. Nondeclarative memory, also known as implicit memory is typically classified as the unconscious memories (Woodruff-Pak 1995). Examples of this would be procedural memories, such as habits, skills, and implicit learning. Do you remember how you learned to blink? You will not remember how you learned to blink because this is a skill we were born with. Blinking is a type of procedural memory that was implicitly learned at a very young age. While we may classify memory into separate categories, in real life, memory typically is a combination of multiple memory sources (Walker and Stickgold 2006). Memory loss is therefore defined as the loss or partial loss of the different types of memories. Whether it is a subtle lapse of memory like forgetting where your keys are, or a serious lapse of memory like forgetting where you are, memory loss is a serious issue.

There are many different causes and mechanisms associated with memory loss. Substantial amounts of evidence found in studies suggest that there is a decline in cognitive abilities along with auditory processing as we grow older (Tun et al. 2012). Cognitive decline is typically associated with the progressive impairment caused by underlying brain cell processes. These processes include brain functions such as movement, judgment, behavior, and memory. Therefore, what causes these losses in functions, specifically what causes the loss of memory? The first cause I reviewed was stress. In the human body, stress is physiologically endorsed to help us adapt to changes in the environment (Naqvi 2013). If chronic exposure to stress occurs, a person has an increased potential of acquiring a variety of memory loss disorders such as dementia and Alzheimers disease. With increased consistency of stress, a

person can cause tissue damage to their brain, which further causes memory loss. Another plausible cause to memory loss is sleep deprivation. Although we do not know for certain why we need sleep, we do know that sleep deprivation can cause a lack in the processing of memories and a persons brain plasticity. Inadequate amounts of sleep can cause impaired memory encoding which can then cause a lack in critical memory encoding (Walker and Stickgold 2006)..

While we know some specific causes of memory loss, researchers have varying effective methods of preventing it. Different medications and vitamins were once used to treat enzyme deficiency disorders; however, there has been a change in why humans take them. The focuses of these regimes have shifted more towards the idea of promoting optimal health of ones brain functions. While most people associate the vitamin B12 with energy, studies have been done to determine whether or not taking the vitamin has any preventative effects on human memory loss. Results have shown that there is minimum association between the intake of vitamin B12 and memory loss (Doets et al 2012). Vitamin D also plays a role in preventing memory loss. With the study of different genes involving the vitamin, researchers were able to determine which proteins are specifically related to the pathology of memory loss. However with this possible preventative vitamin comes side effects such as hyperkalemia (Luong and Nguyen 2013). Cholinesterase inhibitor medications such as Aricept and Razadyne are typically prescribed to patients who have early onset of memory loss. These medications are not a way to cure memory loss; however, they seem to help symptoms such as mood swings, by altering certain chemicals in a persons brain.

The human brain contains huge amounts of fatty acids. Another study has suggested that a sufficient dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acid can actually preserve cognitive function in aging adults. Therefore, this would be a great way to possibly prevent the loss of memory in the aging population. If a high amount of omega-3 fatty acid is found in a person, it is possible that they will experience slower age-related cognitive decline along with a lower risk of diseases such as Alzheimers disease. Because of western diets, the lack of certain fatty acid proteins in our brains may be causing a gradual decline in our cognitive ability. However, considering the imbalance of fatty acids, it is indicated that the decrease in these proteins leads to the erosion of physiological regulation. This means that, if a person experiences a substantial amount of stress and aging, increased cognitive decline will more than likely arise (Denis et al 2012). While there are plenty of studies about memory loss in older adults today, the idea that medications and vitamins help is not consistent.

Physical exercise is also something people believe to help prevent memory loss. While physical exercise is great for a ones health, there is not consistent data that reveal s exercise prevents memory loss. Instead of physical exercising, one can perform cognitive exercises. Cognitive training exercises can possibly benefit an older adult by preventing cognitive decline (Naqvi 2013). Mental exercise helps improve a persons reasoning, speed and memory. In other words, cognitive exercising helps keep the brain working.

While there is varying support of the possible preventative measures, we know for certain that memory loss is a very prominent health issue as we age. A major problem I came across when writing this essay was the fact that many of the articles contradict each other. One

journal states that fatty acids are one way to prevent cognitive decline, while the other states that no significant change was present. A plausible reason why this is occurring is a difference in each studys design. With this said, we do not know whether there are true preventative treatments or not; however, one thing is for certain. While the more promising results of preventative treatments came from cognitive training, there are still certain medications and vitamins that can potentially help prevent memory loss. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and physical activity are not only good for brain function, but also for ones all around physical health. As technology and medicine are continuing to improve, I think the prevention of memory loss should be one of everyones top priorities. Our memories are what make us feel alive; therefore, if we lose these precious recollections we lose our sense of living.

Work Cited Denis, I., B. Potier, S. Vancassel, C. Heberden, and M. Lavialle. 2013. Omega-3 fatty acids and brain resistance to aging and stress: Body of evidence and possible mechanisms. Ageing Research Reviews 12:579-594.

Doets, E. L., J. P. van Wijngaarden, A. Szczecinska, C. Dullemeijer, O. W. Souverein, R. A. M. Dhonukshe-Rhutten, A. E. J. M. Cavelaars, P. vant Veer, A. Brzozowska, and L. C. P. G. M. deGroot. 2013. Vitamin B-12 intake and status and cognitive function in elderly people. Epidemiologic Reviews 35:2-21.

Luong, K. V. Q. and L. T. H. Nguyen. 2013. The role of vitamin D in Alzheimers disease: possible genetic and cell signaling mechanisms. American Journal of Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias 28:126-136.

Naqvi, R. M. 2013. Opinion: On living longer. Memory loss in healthy older adults is on the rise, as are preventive treatmentsbut there is little evidence that these remedies are effective. Online: http://www.thescientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/36150/title/Opinion--On-Living-Longer/. Accessed September 2013.

Phenice, L. A. and R. J. Griffore. 2013. The importance of object memories for older adults. Educational Gerontology 39:741-749.

Tun, P. A., V. A. Williams, B. J. Small, and E. R. Hafter. 2012. The effects of aging on auditory processing and cognition. American Journal of Audiology 21:344-350.

Walker, M. P. and R. Stickgold. 2006. Sleep, memory, and plasticity. Annual Review of Psychology 57:139-166.