How Traumatic Brain Injuries Impact the Memory
Memory impairment affects approximately 54 to 84 percent of individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury. While the effect of TBI on long-term memory has been known for a long time, what occurs behind the scenes has never been detailed for this population. The theory of cognitive reserve has long been used to explain comparable injuries. In other words, higher intellectual enrichment provides a protective effect on long-term memory.
Study from the Kessler Foundation
Researchers at the Kessler Foundation studied 50 patients who had mild to severe TBI for their long-term memory and cognitive reserve. Dr. Joshua Sandry, lead author of the study, said that the results provide evidence that working memory acts as a go-between for cognitive reserve and long-term memory. However, researchers need to conduct further study to determine the best approach for working memory in cognitive trials.
Sandry added that these treatment strategies are aimed at working memory to improve the long-term memory of people suffering from TBI.
What Do the Findings Suggest?
The findings suggest that differences in individual memory capacity relate to the long-term memory impairment of people with traumatic brain injury. However, it is still too early to understand how these findings can treat memory decline and TBI. These TBI researchers of New Jersey are looking for a useful strategy to improve memory in children and adolescents who suffer from TBI.
Addressing Memory Issues for Children with TBI
In a different study meant to address the difficulties of memory and learning in children with TBI, researchers examined 15 patients living with TBI and impaired memory. The ages were 8 to 16 years old. Results were compared to three memory strategies, massed restudy, retrieval practice and spaced restudy. Dr. Coyne said that the results of the retrieval practice showed a better recall. Evidence for this method indicates that learning and memory can be improved for this TBI age group. Nevertheless, researchers need a randomized controlled trial to confirm these findings and examine the impact on academic achievement.
How Memory Works in the Brain
Current research suggests that the memory utilizes a process where the neurons of certain regions of the brain encode, store and retrieve information. When specific types of illnesses and injuries occur, they disrupt the process and create a loss of memory.
Working Towards a Solution
Since 2000, TBI has affected more than 270,000 military service members. LLNL’s Neural Technology group has collaborated with the University of California and Medtronic to develop a device that records and uses closed-loop simulation of the neural tissues to bridge the gaps in the injured brain. This will restore an individual’s memories and help them to form new memories.
Remembering Friends
Some people suffering from TBI say they struggle to remember important people. For example, they could have dated the person but forgot who they were or their name because of an accident that led to severe brain trauma. People you normally might know say hello, but the individual struggles to recall their name or why they should be known. This, however, is a normal occurrence in patients living with TBI. Their memory fluctuates.
Types of Memory
Immediate Memory: Also referred to as working memory, this memory state takes information in through the five senses. With immediate memory, people remember a piece of information for a short time. For example, remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.
Short-term or recent memory: short-term memory uses the information for a few minutes, hours or days. Some research suggests that short-term memory may gradually improve with the progressing years.
Long-term or remote memory: This memory type includes episodic, semantic, procedural and prospective memory. Episodic uses personal information for an individual’s life and getting married. Semantic refers to factual memory such as the Loire is the longest river in France at 629 miles. Procedural memory relates to procedural skills, such as driving a car, playing checkers and making dinner.
Prospective memory uses memory for doing something in the future, and it involved planning. This could mean planning a birthday or appointment.
Memory Problems following TBI
Following a traumatic brain injury, memory problems are one of the most common consequences. It may include problems with remembering skills, faces or the events of our lives. However, most people retain their semantic and procedural memory after a TBI. Short-term and prospective memories are usually the most affected areas after a TBI has occurred.
Memory Problems Resulting from a Brain Injury
Post-traumatic Amnesia: This temporary state follow immediately after the injury. During post-traumatic amnesia, the individual might be conscious, but their everyday memory does not work properly. The individual will not remember their time after the injury.
Retrograde Amnesia: This form of amnesia results in lost memories prior to the injury. The time period can stretch from a few minutes to several years, but it occurs most frequently for events that recently happened.
External Memory Strategies
Routine provides a helpful and nurturing strategy to those suffering from a TBI. Writing a weekly or daily routine lets the person tick off the events. Also, a diary can record important information like appointments and things that need to be done. In addition, a diary may record essential activities such as taking medication. Some other external memory aids include:
Calendar
Electronic Organizer
Tape Recorder
Wall Chart
Alarm Clock
Internal Strategies
Prioritizing information ensures that the most important tasks get accomplished. Also, repeating and rehearsing information will drive it into the working memory. An additional internal strategy includes using visual images and verbal cues for learning new information. Categorizing the information into organized groups improves recall, but using acronyms or mnemonics are another easy strategy.
How to Improve Memory
Working with a specialist who treats head trauma is the best approach. In most cases, you want to work with a Speech Therapist. A therapist teaches 15 various memory strategies, and they can pick two or three that work the best for you. A patient must undergo a fair amount of testing to find the best memory strategy for them. Once an effective strategy has been found, consistent work allows for the best improvement. Memory works like a muscle, and the more you use it, the stronger it grows.
What Affects Memory?
Sleepiness even affects individual without a head injury. However, the effects are multiplied in those suffering from TBI. Most people who have a TBI remember better in the morning, rather than late afternoon, and it is not uncommon for people with head injuries to have a sleep disorder. In these cases, talking with a doctor can help the individual to get their sleep pattern back to normal.
Strong emotional situations also distort the memory. If a bomb goes off at a market, this creates intense emotional circumstance that will distort memories. If you ask five people involved in it, you will receive five different descriptions of the event. Fear, anger and anxiety alters memories. What do you do for these situations? Well, you cannot always control your emotions. For TBI patients visiting the doctor, this becomes a stressful time. Bringing a loved one along can lower the stress of the situation. While there is no treatment for memory loss due to head trauma, strategies can be used to make a person’s life easier.
Call Randy Rozek today at 414-374-4444
Sources:
NBC News
Medical Xpress
Headway
