Learning Spanish Part Fourteen - Memory Part II

What exactly is happening when we grow old and begin to suffer those "Senior Moments" seems to be a deficit in two issues of memory functioning:
1) a slowing of the ability to use that area of the brain best suited for memory processing, and
2) what seems a refusal to use memory techniques and training appropriate for reversing memory losses in those areas of the brain we used to use when we were younger.

When we were younger and had a memory task to accomplish, our brains would select almost instantly the preferred region of the brain for memory processing. As we grow older and begin to suffer memory deficits, our brains are NOT using the preferred regions for memory processing but other regions not as effective for memory processing.

However, it is now possible, using proper memory training technique, to more fully access the preferred region of the brain for effective memory tasks at levels closely approximating that of young adults.

The specific memory issue with aging adults seems to be with the short-term memory. An older adult, for example, can recount a story that happened twenty years previously but cannot recall to whom he's already told the story. However, this does not appear to be an issue of concentration or attention but, rather, an issue of distracting influences.

Studies from The University of California at Berkley, using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, show for the first time that memory problems are due more to trying to filter though irrelevant information than a problem of focusing on the information that is relevant.

In other words, just focusing on the information the older adult is trying to recall isn't enough. He also has to filter out the irrelevant information that is distracting. The problems with filtering through the distracting information may be what is the root cause of memory problems that too often accompany aging.

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About the Types of Memory Loss

Classification of memory loss can be made using many criteria. Depending on the duration, the types of memory loss are permanent and temporary memory loss. When a certain type of memory is affected, the memory loss can be classified as either short-term memory loss or long-term memory loss. The condition may develop gradually or may appear suddenly. All these types of memory loss are conditioned by certain factors.
Global amnesia is one of the most frequent types of memory loss. It is characterized by inability to recall things that are stored in the long-term memory. However, patients who suffer from amnesia do not present any problems related to the short-term memory. Furthermore, amnesiacs can remember semantic memories.
As a proof of this fact, people who suffer from amnesia still know the meanings of the words and information about the general world. This certain type of amnesia is usually provoked by damage inflicted on the medial temporal lobes. Also, it can appear if the diencephalon or the basal forebrain is affected. The main causes are represented by infections of the brain and by cerebrovascular accidents. Global amnesia is one of the permanent types of memory loss.
A classification of memory loss can also be made after observing the rate of forgetting. This rate depends on the certain part of the brain that is damaged. As many studies have shown, people with medial temporal lobe damage lose memory faster than the diencephalic patients.
Organic amnesia is one of the memory loss types that appear as a result of a brain lesion. It can be found in one or more of the four possible situations. Anterograde amnesia refers to the incapacity to recall events that happen after memory loss is installed. Retrograde amnesia is the term used when people cannot remember events that have happened before the appearance of memory loss. In the third situation, the intelligence is kept, while in the fourth situation the short-term memory is good. When all these four situations occur simultaneously, people are called global amnesics.
Mild cognitive impairment refers to all the subtle, yet measurable memory conditions. Dementia represents an alteration of the mental processes. Memory is affected in most of the cases of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia which features memory loss always. Vascular dementia is determined by repeated strokes. All these types of memory disorder may provoke a particular type of memory loss.
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Moving Forward in Life

What does it take to move forward in life? One of the key things needed to move forward is the ability to focus. The mind must be clear about what it needs to focus on. There are times when it is critical to focus on what is taking place at that time. My advice is to focus on what is most important or that appears to be the priority. If you do not focus on what is most important; you could be in real trouble in the near or not to distance future.
Another key point to moving forward in life is having the ability see success. If someone is unable to see success then they may never feel inspired to seek greater achievements in life. There must be inside the heart something that enables one to see success. If we look at most people who have done well moving forward in life; we will see that they all had the ability to see success.
Moving forward in life, also involves the ability to unstick the mind. Sometimes life will deal us a blow that may cause us to become stuck or unmotivated. Instead of us standing our ground and lowering our shoulder, we feel like curling up and throwing in the towel. It is at these times that we must put on all our spiritual armor and prepare for battle. One battle at a time! One fight at a time! This is the kind of attitude we need to move forward in life.
Sometimes we need support when moving forward in life; it is a natural and sometime necessary fact of life. We are not alone on this planet. Let face it, we are all here to help each other, and the sooner we realize it, the better for everyone. We can move forward by helping each other pull on the support ropes of life.
As you move forward in life, occasionally look ahead to your next horizon. The next challenge you see will give you the drive to keep moving forward. Looking forward will hone your ability to achieve success. Keep moving forward.
I retired from United States Navy in 2003, after serving over 21 years of enlisted active duty onboard several different ships and a few shore assignments. I am married. My wife and i have two daughters. We have two dogs, Chow Chow's, to be exact. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts (Focus area Psychology) from Excelsior College class 2004. http://belwrites.com
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