Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
19 yr. old and memory problems
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
19 yr. old and memory problems
by hopwoodchick, Dec 04, 2005 12:00AM
My 19 yo son is Dx: allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis, low IGA, asthma, (well controlled), and ADHD. Med: gastrocrom, strattera. He is seen at CCF for GI and CH UPMC neuro. for memory problems for last 16 mo. He has had 3 mri of brain-3UBO's and CH states normal, but get another one?? MRI reviewed at CCF- slight nonspecific abnormality. Biopsy for celiac disease neg. Neuropsych eval show inconsistent memory deficits. This memory problem has affected his life. Problems at school (HS and college), lost car keys, missed appts., gas stove burners left on, he has gone to shcool on days when there has been no classes. He did Interactive Metronome at Healthsouth this summer. Also B12 & folic acid levels WNL. He did have a head injury about 4 yrs. ago. He has played soccer also. Could this be subclinical seizures? He had an EEG at the time of the head injury, WNL. I'm not sure who to follow up with for a 2nd opinion? He seemed disappointed when the celiac was neg, he asked then "what is wrong?" Thanking you ahead of time for any information.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Dec 09, 2005 12:00AM
Its unlikely that further neuroimaging will be useful, if 3 MRIs have already been done. The problem is more likely to be on a more diffuse level ie an imbalance of hormones such as serotonin in thebrain. This can manifest in several ways, and can be treated by for example SSRI drugs. There may also be subclinical depression which is a common cause for memory complaints - consider having him evaluetd by an adolescent psychologist or psychiatrist (there are some at CCF), to root this out. An MMPI - a detailed psychological/personality questionnaire would be useful also .
While memory problems can be as a result of frequent or uncontrolled seizures, it would be unusaul not tohave had any witnessed seizures, unless he is alone for long periods of time. An EEG is not unreasonable, although is only useful if it is positive, as a single normal EEG does not rulout epilepsy. Repeat neuropsych testing at a later date, will help determine if this is progressive and warrant testing for rarer disorders - some rare disorders can cause intellectual decline at his age, but usually present with other signs and symptoms, for example myoclonus, loss of vision/hearing etc
Good luck
While memory problems can be as a result of frequent or uncontrolled seizures, it would be unusaul not tohave had any witnessed seizures, unless he is alone for long periods of time. An EEG is not unreasonable, although is only useful if it is positive, as a single normal EEG does not rulout epilepsy. Repeat neuropsych testing at a later date, will help determine if this is progressive and warrant testing for rarer disorders - some rare disorders can cause intellectual decline at his age, but usually present with other signs and symptoms, for example myoclonus, loss of vision/hearing etc
Good luck
I read somewhere about a boy with poor grades and diagnosed with ADD. After extensive tests they gave him physiotherapy due to a small neck misalignment that was caused when he was a baby. After this all his grades improved.
I read your situation with interest. I have a dear friend whom I have known since he was 18-19 yrs old who suffered from some memory loss issues for nearly 15 years... lost keys, missed appts..etc.. as you mention. He was treated with ritalyn as a young person and is also athsmatic... Last year he was bothered by continuing symptomology as an adult... He made appointment at the Mayo Clinic in MN... was ultimately diagnosed with improper fluid levels in certain areas of the brain... which the doctors say most certainly has been occuring since childhood. He was initially a candidate for a shunt to be inserted into the Brain to drain the excess fluid but a second doctor's suggestion was to medicate with an oral medication proven to decrease the fluid production.... I am not certain what the medication is called... I can find out if you would like... or you can look into this as a possible course of action...
Good Luck