The Harvard Medical School Guide to Achieving Optimal Memory

Aaron Nelson, Susan Gilbert9780071444705, 007144470X

Ever find yourself walking into a room and forgetting why? Having trouble remembering that pesky password or your siblings’ birthdays? Don’t panic. Memory lapses like these are common, especially after age forty. But memory loss isn’t inevitable or irreversible. You can achieve optimal memory at any age – and this book shows you how.Dr. Aaron P. Nelson, a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty and a clinical neuropsychologist, has helped thousands of patients with memory and other cognitive problems. In his easy-to-understand guide you’ll find: * How to know if you’ve got a problem and how to have it evaluated * How factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle can hurt your memory * A complete memory-optimizing program, including mental exercises, nutrition, tips for remembering important things, and more * Current and future treatment options for serious memory impairment

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Table of contents :
EEn……Page 1
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Achieving Optimal Memory……Page 2
Other books from Harvard Medical School and McGraw-Hill……Page 4
Copyright Info……Page 6
Dedication……Page 7
TOC……Page 8
Acknowledgments……Page 12
Introduction – You Can Protect and Improve Your Memory……Page 16
1 – What Is Memory?……Page 24
Short-Term Memory……Page 25
Long-Term Memory……Page 28
Making Memories……Page 34
2 – How You Remember……Page 36
Your Brain’s Memory Networks……Page 37
Three Stages of Memory……Page 39
Memories That Last……Page 49
3 – It Happens to Everyone: Normal Memory Lapses and Distortions……Page 52
Schacter’s Seven Sins……Page 53
The Rashomon Effect……Page 64
4 – How Your Brain Ages……Page 66
What Is Normal Aging?……Page 67
The Cycle of Neuronal Death and Neurogenesis……Page 68
Communication Problems……Page 69
Which Cognitive Functions Are Most Vulnerable to Aging?……Page 73
Which Cognitive Functions Are Age-Resistant?……Page 74
Is There a Fountain of Youth for Your Brain?……Page 75
5 – Causes of Memory Problems……Page 78
Genes……Page 80
Hormones……Page 81
Common Age-Related Illnesses……Page 83
Neurological Disorders……Page 88
Cancer……Page 94
Mood, Stress, and Memory……Page 95
Medications……Page 99
Sleep……Page 102
Diet and Nutrition……Page 105
Alcohol……Page 109
Exercise……Page 110
Intellectual Stimulation……Page 111
Smoking……Page 112
Illicit Drug Use……Page 113
Toxic Exposure……Page 114
Self-Help or Professional Help?……Page 116
David’s Memory Problems……Page 118
Do You Need a Memory Evaluation?……Page 122
When You Visit Your Doctor……Page 123
Neuropsychological Testing……Page 127
Specialized Tests……Page 131
Other Specialty Consultations……Page 135
After the Testing……Page 137
7 – Memory Disorders……Page 140
Normal Versus Abnormal Forgetting……Page 141
Amnesia……Page 142
Mild Cognitive Impairment……Page 148
Dementia……Page 151
Treating Memory Disorders……Page 155
8 – Memory Medications……Page 156
Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease……Page 158
Drugs for Mild Cognitive Impairment……Page 160
Alternative Remedies for Memory Loss……Page 161
New Drugs Under Study……Page 163
Improving Your Memory Without Medication……Page 171
9 – Prevention and Proaction: The Path to Optimal Memory……Page 174
Obtain Regular Exercise……Page 175
Take Vitamins……Page 177
Involve Yourself with Others……Page 179
Maintain Healthful Nutrition……Page 180
Aim for a Good Night’s Sleep……Page 181
Learn Something New……Page 184
Engage in Life!……Page 187
Manage Stress……Page 188
Routinely Take Precautions to Protect Your Brain……Page 191
The Next Step……Page 192
10 – Practical Strategies to Enhance Everyday Memory……Page 194
Get Organized……Page 195
Behaviors for Effective Learning and Memory……Page 198
Memory Techniques……Page 201
Putting the Strategies into Practice……Page 204
Professional Memory Training……Page 206
Future Frontiers……Page 208
11 – On the Horizon……Page 210
Preventing and Curing Memory Disorders……Page 211
Cognitive Enhancers……Page 216
Optimal Memory Redefine……Page 218
Organizations……Page 220
Books……Page 223
Index……Page 226