The brain is the master controller of our bodies insofar as it controls the way we absorb, code, retain and recall information. Yet for most of us, the intricacies of the brain not only remain a mystery, we tend to take it for granted.
“The brain essentially comprises three elements – the forebrain, midbrain and the hindbrain. The three all work together in collaboration to control every movement, emotional and action in a harmonious orchestra. This involves certain hemispheres and compartments, very intricate and complicated in nature, but which, through a host of blood vessels, specialised neurons and chemical hormones are able to “speak” to one another and control memory, attention, concentration, emotions, temperature and movement,” explains Dr Lisa Albert a specialist psychiatrist at Akeso Clinic Milnerton.
Short-, long-term memory
Short-term memory refers to the brains ability to hold information for a small amount of time, i.e. few seconds. If this information is practised, this may lead to long term memory. This process involves the manipulation and storage of this information in another part of the brain for coding and later recall when necessary.
Long term memory can be separated into two different components namely explicit memory which is the memory of events and experiences in one’s life as well as facts learnt and implicit memory which is procedural in nature, for example learning how to ride a bicycle.
Psychological disorders
Indeed, memory may be affected in many psychiatric illnesses, specifically dementias, which are often irreversible and the depressive disorders which specifically affect one’s ability to concentrate, retain and recall information. With a combination of biological and psycho-social support, this is treatable.
ADHD also may interfere with ability to concentrate due to attention and hyperactivity challenges. This is not an inherent memory deficit, but again with medication, and some cognitive training one can definitely improve the ability to retain and recall new and previously learnt information, she says.
Mindfulness
According to Dr Albert there are many psychological approaches, specifically cognitive behavioural therapy as well as mindfulness techniques that can be implored to assist one to be able to be able to absorb and logically store new and learn information.
There are also stimulants such as Ritalin, for example, which is commonly prescribed for ADHD. In the Alzheimer dementia evidence, Ritalin has been shown for cognitive enhancers.
Injury, trauma
Head injuries can play a major role in the impact of short and long term memory. “The factors are diverse, but the key role-players include the type of injury, whether one has lost consciousness and the time period of amnesia, ones previous level of functioning as well as any previous medical/neurological illnesses all plays a pivotal role.
Other illnesses
The brain is a key organ which is made up essential neurons, blood vessels, cerebrospinal fluid and cased in a bony covering, the skull. Pathology may occur at any of these intervals, some of the most common being from a blockage or lack of blood supply to the brain, for example a stroke causing death to a certain area of the brain, a brain tumour of any part of the brain, an infection and inflammation of the meninges, causing meningitis, as well as viral infections such as HIV, or syphilis which also cross the blood brain barrier and can infect the brain early on in the illness.
Memory loss
Memory loss may be acute due to injury, infection or severe mental illness in the acute phase. Others may also include drug abuse or misuse, for example pain medication, alcohol for example.
These may all be treated and while some are reversible, others may be permanent depending on the severity and time period one has been ill for.
Optimising brain functioning
Prevention is always better than cure. – this is the ideal.
- Keep your brain health and active and exercise the brain.
- Maintain a diet of good healthy nutrition, omegas and a well-balanced diet (lean protein, complex carbohydrates, tuna, salmon, walnuts and olive oil for example.),
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid any toxins.
- Be careful and as far as possible prevent head injuries by wearing helmets when engaging in dangerous activities.
- Look after risk factors that increase stroke, e.g. blood pressure, high cholesterol and avoid smoking.
- As one ages continue to exercise the brain with reading, crosswords and keeping up to date with current affairs.
“One cannot under estimate the value of healthy, restorative sleep, decreasing stressors which may lead to the development of physical and mental illness as well as refraining from polluting ones’ brain with toxic chemicals,” Concludes Dr Albert.
