Memory LossSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Memory Loss
Memory loss is unusual forgetfulness. You may not be able to remember new events, recall one or more memories of the past, or both.
The memory loss may be for a short time and then resolve (transient). Or, it may not go away, and, depending on the cause, it can get worse over time.
In severe cases, such memory impairment may interfere with activities of daily living.
Forgetfulness; Amnesia; Impaired memory; Loss of memory; Amnestic syndrome; Dementia - memory loss; Mild cognitive impairment - memory loss
Normal aging can cause some forgetfulness. It is normal to have some trouble learning new material or needing more time to remember it. But normal aging does not lead to dramatic memory loss. Such memory loss is due to other diseases.
Memory loss can be caused by many things. To determine a cause, your health care provider will ask if the problem came on suddenly or slowly.
Many areas of the brain help you create and retrieve memories. A problem in any of these areas can lead to memory loss.
Memory loss may result from a new injury to the brain, which is caused by or is present after:
- Brain tumor
- Cancer treatment, such as brain radiation, bone marrow transplant, or chemotherapy
- Concussion or head trauma
- Not enough oxygen getting to the brain when your heart or breathing is stopped for too long (anoxic brain injury)
- Severe brain infection (encephalitis) or infection around the brain (meningitis)
- Major surgery or severe illness, including brain surgery
- Sudden, temporary loss of memory (transient global amnesia) of unclear cause
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
- Fluid collection in the brain (hydrocephalus)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Dementia
Sometimes, memory loss occurs with mental health problems, such as:
- After a major, traumatic or stressful event
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression or other mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia
Memory loss may be a sign of dementia. Dementia also affects thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. Common types of dementia associated with memory loss are:
- Alzheimer disease
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Fronto-temporal dementia
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Other causes of memory loss include:
- Alcohol or use of prescription medicines or illegal drugs
- Brain infections such as Lyme disease, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS
- Overuse of medicines, such as barbiturates, opioids or hypnotics
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) most often causes short-term memory loss
- Epilepsy that is not well controlled
- Illness that results in the loss of, or damage to brain tissue or nerve cells, such as Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, or multiple sclerosis
- Low levels of important nutrients or vitamins, such as low vitamin B1 or B12
A person with memory loss needs a lot of support.
- It helps to show the person familiar objects, music, photos, or play familiar music.
- It is important to write down when the person should take any medicine or do other critical tasks.
- If a person needs help with everyday tasks, or if safety or nutrition is a concern, you may want to consider extended-care facilities, such as an adult family home or nursing home.
Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the person's medical history and symptoms. This will usually include asking questions of family members and friends. For this reason, they may be interviewed in-person or by phone.
Medical history questions may include:
- Type of memory loss, such as short-term or long-term
- Time pattern, such as how long the memory loss has lasted or whether it comes and goes
- Things that triggered memory loss, such as head injury or surgery
Tests that may be done include:
- Blood tests for specific diseases that are suspected (such as low vitamin B12 or thyroid disease)
- Cerebral angiography
- Cognitive tests (neuropsychological or psychometric tests)
- CT scan or MRI of the head
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Lumbar puncture
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Genetic tests
Treatment depends on the cause of memory loss. Your provider can tell you more.
Werner K Doyle M.D. PC
Orrin Devinsky is a Neurologist practicing medicine in New York, New York. Dr. Devinsky is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Memory Loss. He is also highly rated in 31 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Myoclonic Epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome, Seizures, Epilepsy, and Deep Brain Stimulation.
Brigham And Women's Hospital, Neurosciences Center
Reisa Sperling is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Sperling is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Memory Loss. She is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Memory Loss, Primary Amyloidosis, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Dr. Sperling is currently accepting new patients.
Vickie & Jack Farber Institute For Neuroscience - Honickman Center
Michael Sperling is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sperling is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Memory Loss. He is also highly rated in 25 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Seizures, Epilepsy, Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, Absence Seizure, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Sperling is board certified in Neurology. Dr. Sperling is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: The purpose of this research study is to investigate the effectiveness of a memory enhancement technique in persons following stroke
Summary: Sense of smell tends to decline in individuals with early Alzheimer's disease, typically earlier than when other senses and thinking abilities begin to decline. Memory for new odors is particularly diminished in these individuals. Existing treatments for AD do not improve these symptoms. A targeted treatment for improving sense of smell, called 'Olfactory Training', has been used to improve sense ...
Published Date: October 27, 2025
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
DeLuca GC, Griggs RC, Johnston SC. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 366.
Kirshner HS, Gifford KA. Intellectual and memory impairments. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 7.
Knopman DS. Cognitive impairment and dementia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 371.