Subjectively, is your memory worsening over time based on your own perception? Do others say that your memory is worsening?
Use the lists in this chapter to check if you have symptoms of mild or severe memory loss, and if you have functional impairment due to memory loss.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses, separating them into the verbal and nonverbal (spatial, 3-D) memory categories, based on the Subjective Memory Questionnaire.
Have someone give you the memory tests in this chapter. Classify yourself according to the post-test instructions into one of three categories: no memory loss, subtle to mild memory loss, severe memory loss.
If your memory has worsened considerably over time, or if you have symptoms of severe memory loss, or if you scored very poorly on the memory tests, you should consult a neurologist or psychiatrist, preferably with the input of a neuropsychologist. If you have access,
go to the memory disorders clinic at your local major academic medical center.
If your memory has not worsened considerably over time and you do not have severe symptoms and you scored well on the memory tests, or if you have only minimal to mild deficits on the memory tests, medical consultation is not essential. In essence, if you have no memory loss or
mild memory loss, you should read further to understand and implement the Memory Program in your daily life.
Imaging Your Brain to Diagnose Memory Loss
While neuropsychological testing is critical to define the extent of memory loss, brain imaging is
often more helpful in identifying the type of brain abnormality that may be causing the memory loss.
Brain imaging techniques broadly fall into two categories: structural (CT and MRI) and functional
(SPECT and positron-emission tomography, or PET).
Taken From: The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss
and Enhance Memory Power
