What other conditions can cause memory problems? - Page 2

DGabriel10 · 08-02-2007, 03:30 PM

Mom's scans etc did not show anything so I took her to MARS which is Memory Assessment Research Service. It is part of UNC-Wilmington Psychology department and they do an extensive batter of Cognative and other such test to determine the levels of cognative loss and even the level of depression and intelligence level. From that they can come up with a level of Dementia. They give rescommendations for possible causes to check out as well. Then they do reevaluations every 9 months to measure the progression. It has been a valuable tool in Mom's case. Their hope is that through these test that they can develop a protocol for early diagnosis before Dementia shows up on medical test. Then the Aricept and Namenda can be started when it will do the most good.

kdmari · 08-03-2007, 02:10 AM

So your mom's scans didn't show anything either...? I just wish we knew what was going on. She seems perfectly normal to us except for these constant slips of memory, which as I said, we suddenly started to notice about a year and a half ago. She also has occasional major anxiety attacks, but usually she's just fine. I sure hope it turns out to be something... treatable.

I wish you the best with your mom. I hope everything goes well.

kd

DGabriel10 · 08-03-2007, 07:49 PM

I do hope you find the cause of your mom's memory slips. Keep looking for the cause. Be hopeful but don't ingore it. Mom hid her Alzheimer from us for two years blaming her problems on depression. It was only after she overdosed Dad with Xanax and told her friends he had a heart attack that we discovered just how bad she was. I only regret that I didn't pick up on the early signs and have the courage to talk to her about what I did see. I think we were all in major denial at that point. She goes back for her 9 month check up at MARS in two week.

kdmari · 08-03-2007, 09:09 PM

Thanks Gabriel. By the way, what is MARS?

DGabriel10 · 08-03-2007, 09:58 PM

MARS is the Memory Assessment Research Service which is in connection with University of North Carolina at Wilmington Psychology department. Their research is to find a way to early diagnose dementia through cognative testing and other connected issues.