Memory Improvement Programs

[ArvindKanda]

Hello All,

I am a 42 year old male. Off late I notice that I am having difficulty remembering things. For example, if I read a book, I tend to forget what I read as soon as I complete the book. When I have a conversation with someone, no matter how much engrossed in it, couple of weeks later I tend to forget the details of the conversation. I think it has more to do with the attention than memory, but I am not sure.

Recently in Time magazine I read that frontal lobes in the brain assists in the memory and larger the lobes, better the memory is. It is also suggested that a simple 8 week of meditation course can help increase the size of the lobes, thereby enhancing the memory. How far is this true?

I also see there are several Memory advancements courses. Do they really work? I am not sure if this is the right forum to ask that question though.

Thirdly, I dont want to  blindly follow what is said in a magazine. I would like to consult a Neurologist before venturing into something. Is a Neurologist, the right specialist to approach for a problem like this?

Any help is appreciated.

Arvind.

[ArvindKanda]

Thank you for the responses. It certainly helps. I am going to look into some of the meditation courses.

thanks again.

[mini_d]

Hi Arvind,

As you have pointed out, the loss of memory may be due to a simple lack of attention.

Alzheimer's disease causes loss of memory, but it usually does not present at 42 years, unless it runs in your family. Other degenerative diseases of the brain also may lead to loss of memory.

Changes in your lifestyle and stress can also cause memory loss for a short duratio, till you get adjusted to the situation. Some medicines like antidepressants, antipsychotic, antiepileptics can also cause loss of memory.

The frontal lobes are responsible for memory and literature says that their size is related to memory. The number of neurons in the brain does not change after birth. The size of the brain may grow after birth due to addition of soft tissue mass, but not cells.

Meditation may increase memory by increasing ability to concentrate and also by keeping the mind peaceful. Whether this causes increase in the size of the lobes is debatable. But there is no harm in trying a course of meditation, because there is no reported adverse side effect of meditation. In the same way, some courses which talk of increasing memory act by increasing concentration. Some teach you how to retain what has been learnt, some teach you how to retain more information. There is no harm intrying these, but all of them are not equally effective for everyone. As long as no drugs are involved, there is no danger.

A neurologist may be consulted if you face a major decrease in your memory even after a few days, that would be the right kind of doctor to approach.

[lala800]

Are you on any kind of medication? Certain types of medication can effect memory and attention. I have a similar problem but I suspect mine was cause by an antidepressant I stopped taking months ago.