— What is memory and how does it work?
– On the one hand, memory is the highest mental function, identical to perception, attention, thinking, speech and others. No mental activity is possible without the participation of memory. In this case we are talking about the ability to remember new information.
Memory can be voluntary or involuntary. First, it is different in that we remember something for a specific purpose, that is, we always plan in advance when we will use this new information. For example, when preparing for exams, there are questions, you need to remember their answers and use them in the exam. At the same time, when we remember voluntarily, we use various methods of memorization that have already formed. Memorization techniques can be different: some bend their fingers, some use associations, some write down the necessary information.
Involuntary memory occurs in any situation where there is no purpose to remember. It is especially active during childhood. With normal development, children have good involuntary memory, that is, they remember a lot without setting a task to remember. Then, when the child grows up, memory is rebuilt and voluntary memorization is formed, the formation of which is very important for successful study at school age.
Memory can be characterized by modality: for example visual, auditory, tactile, motor, etc. Some people remember visual material more successfully, others find it easier to perceive information by ear.
— Are there any changes in memory in old age? Is it changing again?
— Voluntary memory in an adult becomes the most important, the most productive. In old age, it remains active and functions reasonably well with normal aging. At the same time, the possibilities of involuntary memorization are reduced, that is, it is more difficult for an elderly person to remember something new without setting a goal of retaining it in memory.
— Do you have any idea about the volume of direct memorization we have?
—A person has the ability to recall five to nine verbal stimuli simultaneously in working memory, called 7 plus or minus 2 elements, and retain them for a period of time.
The volume of memorization increases when new stimuli are learned repeatedly.
After some time, the person can update what he remembers, for example, after two hours or after a week. This is called delayed playback. In this case, the volume of delayed replication may be less than the volume of immediate memorization. These are not pathological, but completely normal patterns that have been well studied in experimental memory studies in general psychology.
— What types of acquired memory disorders can people experience?
— Memory is a very sensitive function, that is, it is a function that is very sensitive to any change in the person’s situation. For example, cold, fever, etc. If you try to remember something new during sleep, it will be more difficult than in the normal functional state of the body.
Memory can be impaired in various diseases of the human brain: traumatic brain injuries, vascular diseases, tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.
— What symptoms of mental disorders are seen in dementia?
— Various signs of impairment in praxis, optical-spatial activity, speech, thinking, behavior and memory are observed in advanced age dementia. Memory is affected differently in different types of dementia, but is always impaired.
For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, where the neurodegenerative process in the brain is widespread, the memory of current events is impaired in patients at the beginning of the disease.
The patient does not remember exactly what happened yesterday. When the patient has difficulty remembering 5-10 years ago, retrospective memory impairment gradually increases. For example, the patient does not remember exactly how old he is. Disorientation in place and time may be impaired. When asked where we are, the patient says he is at home, although he is currently in the clinic.
— In which diseases can cognitive impairment occur as an accompanying symptom?
— A decrease in cognitive functions may occur in various brain diseases. For example, arterial hypertension, traumatic brain injuries, etc. with. Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke, ischemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis) that result in inadequate blood flow to the brain are a common cause of cognitive decline as well as neurodegenerative dementias. Alcohol abuse and drug use also cause a decrease in cognitive processes. Monitoring your physical health, undergoing informal medical examination, monitoring your blood pressure, blood sugar level, etc. It is important to watch.
— If we are talking about the earliest signs of dementia, what are among them?
— One of the first symptoms is increasing forgetfulness about current events, which interferes with daily life and work. Close people can notice changes in behavior and character, speech problems, difficulties in going to new, and sometimes familiar places. I would like to emphasize that some of these symptoms, including the memory features we mentioned earlier, may be a result of mood disorder and depression. In such cases, it is necessary to consult specialists so that the disease can be diagnosed and treated correctly.
— Along with dementia, there is also mild cognitive decline syndrome. How is it characterized?
“In fact, people of later ages may experience a mild cognitive decline syndrome, in which mild memory impairments and difficulties in mastering new skills are observed, noted by older people themselves and their loved ones. For example, mastering the use of a new washing machine is more difficult than before, and difficulties arise when using new appliances. During the clinical and psychological examination of such an elderly person, a slight decrease in memorizing new things, difficulty in concentration and fatigue may be observed.
— We can all experience memory problems, but how do we know when it has already become pathological?
“Older people often do not notice the decline in their own cognitive abilities, so it is extremely important for younger relatives to be careful. To reduce the risk of deterioration in the memory-intellectual abilities of an aging person, it is important to contact specialists early.
— There is also such a thing as digital dementia. Can gadgets really cause cognitive decline?
“I don’t think this can be called dementia.” We live in a digital age; We have devices that help us retrieve information quickly without having to remember it. And the problem is that people make their own memories less active. Some research suggests that today’s primary school children have slightly worse verbal memory than their peers 50 years ago.
If a person continues to transfer some of their cognitive functions to a machine, there is a danger that these functions will be weakened.
In everything you need to know when to stop. Gadgets definitely improve many aspects of a person’s life. However, it is important not to completely transfer your own cognitive activity to the machine. Our brain must work actively. A person’s mental abilities are realized only in his own active activity. Thinking that we can remember something well and actually remembering it are two different things. And one of the most important principles of any psychological rehabilitation is the patient’s own activity.
— Is it possible to somehow reverse the intellectual decline?
— If we are talking about dementia in advanced age, it is very difficult to radically help the patient. There is no cure for dementia yet. At the same time, cognitive stimulation (cognitive training) of patients with dementia is a very important part of the complex clinical and psychological work that specialists do with patients.
— What are these cognitive trainings?
— Cognitive stimulation programs have been developed for patients with dementia to maintain their abilities. These programs are carried out individually or in groups and aim to stimulate: perception, speaking, writing, counting, memory, thinking, etc. Activation. For patients with mild cognitive decline, outpatient centers were created in Moscow – “Memory Clinics”, where neurorehabilitation programs are carried out very successfully.
For all people of older age, it is very useful to actively use speech, write by hand, read aloud, learn something new (new skills), for example, master a new language.
All these types of mental activity have a positive effect on the cognitive functions and all mental activities of an aging person. For example, there is evidence that learning to play the piano helps improve cognitive abilities in adults. The important thing is to do what you love.
Known techniques can be used as cognitive load. There is the Fibonacci technique, which involves telling yourself a numerical sequence where each new number is the sum of the previous numbers. The Pythagorean technique is also effective. In the evening, it is necessary to remember all the events that happened during the day in detail and without breaking their order. Another exercise is the associative method, that is, finding as many words as possible for each letter of the alphabet. There is also Aivazovsky’s method – you need to look at a landscape or interior for several minutes, and then close your eyes and reproduce them in memory.
— Some psychologists recommend doing familiar actions in a new way, for example, brushing your teeth with your left hand rather than your right. Is this supposed to help the brain?
– You know, people generally need to change. And yes, even brushing your teeth with your left hand can be beneficial. It is important to emphasize that at a time when everything is not easy and a little difficult, it is useful to do something by taking the effort. Overcoming challenges is associated with growth. It is important to remember that cognitive training should be fairly regular.
— Is it possible to somehow improve the cognitive state on your own, with the help of nutrition or medications such as glycine or Ginkgo biloba?
— Many studies show that the Mediterranean diet helps maintain health, including the brain. It is assumed to consume at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables, regular fish and grains per day. Eating large amounts of red meat is not recommended, but the diet does not completely exclude it due to its content of vitamin B12, zinc and iron. You should also limit sweets and avoid processed foods, which often contain excess sugar and sodium.
If we are talking about drugs, the drugs must be prescribed by a doctor. My opinion is this: you do not need to get carried away by such “introductions” to the body.
Of course, they are often touted as cognitive enhancers, but we need to be critical. If you feel well, you do not need to take these.
If you encounter any problems, consult an expert.