Patients with short term memory loss do not remember what they had for lunch or if they have eaten lunch. They frequently get lost in familiar surroundings. At times they cannot remember the way to church or find their home on their street. As the disease progresses, the memory loss becomes more severe. Alzheimer's disease is difficult to diagnose.
Many medical disorders can cause memory problems.
Strokes, thyroid deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, head injuries, or even overmedication can cause loss of memory. Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease can also be associated with memory problems. The doctor must study all of the possible causes for loss of memory and rule out all of the above before the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be made. Even today microscopic examination of the brain after death is the only way to be sure of the diagnosis. Our group at Texas Tech is part of the Alzheimer's Association autopsy network and we service the families here in West Texas.