If you’ve seen the movie “Memento,” you’re familiar with a version of anterograde amnesia. It’s a memory disorder where you can’t form memories from the time the amnesia started, but you can remember things from before then.
“A common misconception about amnesia is that people forget everything, including their personal identity and history. However, with anterograde amnesia, since the memory of new events is affected, older memories and personal identity are well preserved,” said Pallavi Joshi, DO, a psychiatrist with Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
To understand anterograde amnesia, you need to know how memory works. First, input from your senses is encoded into a format your brain can store. Then, it’s stored in certain parts of your brain, like the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. When you want to retrieve your memories, your brain knows how and where to find them.
With anterograde amnesia, the encoding process doesn’t work properly. Since it worked in the past, older memories can be recalled. But people with the condition typically can’t remember recent events, learn new skills or retain new information. They may be able to have conversations and take part in activities, but they forget about them soon afterward.
What causes anterograde amnesia?
Anterograde amnesia can develop if there’s damage or dysfunction in the parts of the brain that form and consolidate memories. That could be due to:
- Head injuries, concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Stroke, which can disrupt blood flow to the brain
- Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
- Severe illness
- Chronic alcoholism or drug abuse
- Certain surgical procedures, especially those that involve the brain or anesthesia, which can cause short- or long-term memory loss
- Certain drugs, which can cause temporary anterograde amnesia
With anterograde amnesia, it can be difficult or impossible to learn new skills, follow instructions or get around in an unfamiliar area. People with this condition may need help with routine activities, managing medication, scheduling appointments and taking care of other tasks.
Challenges with anterograde amnesia
The condition can lead to psychological and emotional effects for people with it, who may feel frustrated, confused, distressed or disoriented. They may struggle to connect the person they used to be with their present-day identity.
It can also be difficult for caregivers, who may feel stressed, anxious and sad as they provide support while they are watching their loved one declining. It’s important for people with anterograde amnesia and caregivers to get support to address their emotional needs.
Diagnosing anterograde amnesia
If you or a loved one have symptoms of memory loss or difficulty thinking, seek help from a qualified health care provider. With a diagnosis, you can connect with the care, resources and support you need.
To diagnose anterograde amnesia, you’ll probably see a neurologist, neuropsychologist or geriatric psychiatrist. An evaluation may include:
- Medical history, including any head injuries, stroke or neurological conditions
- Physical exam
- Neuropsychological testing to evaluate memory, attention, language and other thinking-related functions
- Imaging studies like MRI or CT scans to look for problems in the brain
Your provider will want to rule out other conditions that can cause memory problems, such as:
- Retrograde amnesia, which is when you have trouble remembering things from the past, not recent events.
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, which can start with memory loss but progress to difficulty with other types of thinking.
- Transient global amnesia (TGA), which is sudden, temporary memory loss that gets better on its own and does not happen again.
Treating and managing anterograde amnesia
“There is no treatment for anterograde amnesia that’s due to a neurodegenerative condition, but strategies such as cognitive rehabilitation, memory aids and therapy can help manage the condition,” Dr. Joshi said.
Medications may help treat other conditions that impair memory. For example, medications can reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or counseling may help in coping with psychological distress or emotional challenges, managing stress and improving quality of life.
Cognitive rehabilitation techniques can help improve thinking skills and overcome challenges. They may include:
- Memory training exercises and techniques
- Strategies and tools such as using calendars, planners and reminder apps to track appointments and events and sticky notes, notebooks and journals to help remember tasks
- Strengthening attention, problem-solving and organizational skills
These lifestyle changes may also help:
- Maintaining a consistent daily routine for meals, medication, activity and sleep to help reduce confusion and provide a structure that can make it easier to retrieve memories.
- Creating an environment that minimizes distractions and supports memory function by using visual cues, labeling objects and organizing living spaces.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep and stress management, to support overall brain health.
- Staying socially connected to reduce feelings of isolation and promote thinking.
- Sharing challenges with family members and close friends and leaning on them for encouragement and help with tasks.
- Joining support groups or online communities for people with memory disorders so you can share your experiences and get advice.
What’s the outlook?
What happens in the long term when you have anterograde amnesia depends on what’s causing it, how severe your memory loss is, your age, your overall health and how you respond to treatment.
Some people improve or stabilize while the condition worsens for others. The condition can cause challenges in your daily functioning and quality of life. However, many people can function and stay somewhat independent with the condition.
It may be hard to accept the diagnosis, adjust to life with anterograde amnesia and find ways to move forward. Modifying your routines, using assistive technologies and finding other ways to complete tasks can help.
You’ll want to have regular follow-up appointments with your health care provider to see how the condition is progressing, how treatments are working and whether the care plan needs any changes.
Support from caregivers, family members and support networks can help you cope, access resources and services, manage the challenges of living with memory loss and improve your well-being and quality of life.
The bottom line
Anterograde amnesia is a condition where you can’t remember events that occurred after it began, but you can access earlier memories. It usually can’t be treated, but medication, therapy and lifestyle changes can help you manage your condition.
If you have concerns about your memory and would like to talk to an expert, reach out to Banner Health.
