Memory problems or dementia

Memory problems are very common especially as we get older. They include, mild cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia and other rarer causes. It is important to have a memory problem investigated to work out the underlying cause as it may be possible to reverse it. Sometimes memory can appear very poor because of another mental disorder such as depression. On occasion memory loss will be due to the development of dementia. There are now treatments available for some forms of dementia and the earlier they are started the better.

In our memory clinic you will have an assessment of you general mental health and a more detailed assessment of how your memory and other mental abilities are fairing. It also can be useful to have someone who knows you well there for part of the assessment to give information about any changes they have noticed.

If it appears that there is a memory difficulty then it is often necessary to arrange blood tests and a brain scan. With the results of this it is usually possible to be clear in the diagnosis and advise on the best treatment available.