Amnesia

Diagnosis

A comprehensive evaluation is needed to diagnose amnesia. It can rule out other possible causes of memory loss such as Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, depression or a brain tumor.

Medical history

The evaluation starts with a detailed medical history. Because the person with memory loss may not be able to provide thorough information, a family member, friend or another caregiver usually provides information.

Your health care provider may ask you several questions to help understand the memory loss. Issues that might be addressed include:

• The type of memory loss and whether it’s recent or long term.
• When the memory problems started and how they progressed.
• Factors that triggered memory problems, such as a head injury, stroke or surgery.
• Family history, especially of neurological disease.
• Drug and alcohol use.
• Other symptoms such as confusion, language problems, personality changes or not being able to perform self care.
• History of seizures, headaches, depression or cancer.

Physical exam

The physical exam may include a neurological exam to check reflexes, sensory function and balance.

Cognitive tests

The exam typically includes tests related to thinking, judgment, and recent and long-term memory. You’ll be asked about your knowledge of general information — such as the name of the current president — as well as personal information and past events. You may be asked to repeat a list of words.

The memory evaluation can help determine the extent of memory loss and provide insights about what kind of help you may need.

Diagnostic tests

Your health care provider also may order:

• Imaging tests — including an MRI and CT scan — to check for brain damage or changes such as shrinkage.
• Blood tests to check for infection, nutritional deficiencies or other issues.
• An electroencephalogram (EEG) to check for the presence of seizure activity.

Treatment

Treatment for amnesia focuses on strategies to help make up for the memory problem. It’s also important to address underlying diseases causing the amnesia.

Occupational therapy

You may work with an occupational therapist to learn new information and replace what was lost. Or you may use intact memories as a basis for taking in new information.

Memory training also may include strategies for organizing information so that it’s easier to remember and for better understanding when talking to others.

Technological assistance

Many people with amnesia find it helpful to use smart technology, such as a smartphone or a hand-held tablet. With some training and practice, even people with severe amnesia can use electronic organizers to help with day-to-day tasks. For example, smartphones can be programmed to remind them about important events or to take medicines.

Low-tech memory aids include notebooks, wall calendars, pill minders, and photographs of people and places.

Medications or supplements

No medicines are currently available for treating most types of amnesia.

If Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is the cause of the amnesia, treatment can help prevent further damage. But most people won’t recover all of their lost memory. Treatment includes replacing thiamin in the body, providing proper nutrition and not drinking alcohol.

If Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of the amnesia, treatment with medicines called cholinesterase inhibitors can help with symptoms.

Research may one day lead to new treatments for memory disorders. But the complexity of the brain processes involved makes it unlikely that a single medicine will be able to resolve memory problems.