Epilepsy causes seizures due to abnormal neuronal activity in the brain, affecting memory areas and causing short-term memory loss. Recurring seizures can cause permanent damage to memory areas, affecting both visual and verbal memory. Anticonvulsants and memory training can limit the effects.
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease that causes seizures due to abnormal neuronal activity in the brain, which can affect areas of the brain responsible for memory. When a seizure occurs, the neurotransmitters that connect with the area of the brain that records memories are disrupted. Short-term memory loss after an attack is quite common: sufferers may not remember where they are or what they were doing; sometimes, complete amnesia can occur for periods of up to an hour. Eventually, recurring seizures can cause damage to memory areas of the brain and result in permanent memory loss. The effects of epilepsy on memory can affect both areas that store visual memories and those that store verbal memories. The long-term effects of epilepsy on memory can also cause speech and language difficulties. The effects of epilepsy on memory are well documented, and those with the disorder report memory loss more frequently than those with other neurological problems.
The brain records memories through a process known as encoding. Information is divided into two categories, short-term memory (STM) which recalls information for only a few minutes, and long-term memory (LTM) which stores information for longer periods of time. The brain requires constant monitoring for memory to function properly. The occurrence of epileptic episodes causes interruptions in the process.
Memory loss almost always occurs during an epileptic event, but the extent of it varies from person to person. Those who experience intense seizures usually report no recollection of the event. Others experience a condition known as anterograde amnesia in which the brain loses the ability to process new information. This condition typically resolves on its own over time. Stroke amnesia describes an episode in which a person interacts normally within their environment during an attack but has no memory of their interaction.
In the long run, seizures can cause permanent brain damage. Epilepsy normally affects specific areas of the brain, and repeated accidents typically cause damage to brain tissue. Damage can also occur between seizures due to constant unusual electrical activity in an epileptic brain.
As different areas of the brain suffer from injury, different types of memory loss can occur. A person whose brain is affected on the right side may have problems with visual memory, while damage to the left side affects verbal memory causing limitations in writing and speech. Epilepsy that attacks the frontal lobe typically leads to a person’s inability to focus attention.
While a cure for epilepsy remains unknown, there are several treatments that can limit the effects of epilepsy on memory. Doctors typically prescribe anticonvulsants to control or completely eliminate seizures, thereby preserving brain function and memory. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed when medications do little to stop the seizures from recurring.
Those who suffer from the effects of epilepsy on memory often also seek out memory training. Generally speaking, memory improvement is not possible, but training with mnemonics and other memory aids can improve your daily life. Training must be individually designed and specialized to address the specific effects of epilepsy on memory.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
