Memory and Memory Loss

Question 1

What process does information in working memory undergo?

Answer 1

Consolidation

Question 2

What is consolidation?

Answer 2

Memories stored in more permanent form

Question 3

Where does consolidation predominantly take place in the brain?

Answer 3

Hippocampus

Question 4

How is information more readily archived in long term memory?

Answer 4

If stored with other related info
Augmented by practice
Using mnemonic devices

Question 5

What are the two types of long term memory?

Answer 5

Declarative

Non-declarative

Question 6

What are the two types of declarative memory?

Answer 6

Episodic

Semantic

Question 7

What is episodic memory?

Answer 7

Memory of personally experienced events

Question 8

What is semantic memory?

Answer 8

Store of

• Facts
• Concepts
• Words and their meanings

Question 9

What sort of problems do disorders of attention lead to?

Answer 9

Filtering out background noise

Question 10

What is the most common cause of a disorder of attention?

Answer 10

Delirium

Question 11

What can cause delirium?

Answer 11

Range of conditions, including

• Infections
• Hypoxia
• Certain medications

Question 12

What can conditions affecting the memory areas of the hippocampus lead to?

Answer 12

Problems with storing info from short term to long term memory

Question 13

What can cause problems of storing information in long term memory?

Answer 13

Variety of disorders like Alzheimer’s disease

Question 14

What kind of memory does Alzheimer’s disease especially affect?

Answer 14

Episodic

Question 15

What do you ask about the quality of memory loss?

Answer 15

Short term memory

Long term memory

Question 16

What do you ask about the severity of memory loss?

Answer 16

Impact on activities of daily living

Ability to function independently

Question 17

What do you ask about the time course of memory loss?

Answer 17

Onset
- Sudden: ask about fall or change in medication
- Gradual
Progression
- Stable
- Steadily progressive
- Stepwise decline

Question 18

What do you ask about the context of memory loss?

Answer 18

Trauma
Stroke
Surgery

Question 19

What do you ask about the relieving factors of memory loss?

Answer 19

Pill container = dosette
Memory aids
Cholinesterase inhibitors

Question 20

What do you ask about the aggravating factors of memory loss?

Answer 20

Infection
Admission to hospital
Medication
- Narcotics
- Tranquilisers
- Anticholinergics

Question 21

What do you ask about the associated features of memory loss?

Answer 21

Change in behaviour
Change in personality
Difficulty with language
Other neurological symptoms

Question 22

What do you ask about in past history of memory loss?

Answer 22

Head injury
Diabetes
Hypertension
Smoking
Alcohol

Question 23

What do you ask about in family history of memory loss?

Answer 23

Dementia

Question 24

How can you fill in the gaps on a memory loss history?

Answer 24

Get supplementary history from another person

Interview together AND separately

Question 25

What are environmental measures you can take to improve communication with a patient who has cognitive impairment?

Answer 25

Reducing background noise and other distractions

Question 26

What actions can you take to improve communication with a patient who has cognitive impairment?

Answer 26

Speak clearly and slowly

Maintain eye contact