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Memory diseases
Memory diseases are progressive brain diseases that affect memory, learning ability, concentration, and reasoning skills. Seek a doctor's appointment if you notice recurring memory symptoms in yourself or a loved one.
Specialist in the article
Geriatria el, yleis-ja työterveyden sairaanhoitol.
Revised 5/13/2025
Early identification is extremely important in the treatment of memory diseases
The prevalence of memory diseases increases as the population ages, and memory problems are also becoming more common among working-age individuals, making early diagnosis and comprehensive rehabilitative treatment increasingly important. Memory diseases take up a significant portion of social and health care resources, so early treatment is also important for society. In Finland, approximately 23,000 new cases of memory diseases are diagnosed annually.
Memory diseases often develop gradually, and their progression can take months or even years. Symptoms vary between different diseases and individuals. It is important to seek treatment if you notice changes in your cognitive functions. Changes can manifest in areas such as memory, attention, executive function, and language functions, as well as personality changes.
If there is suspicion of a memory disease, it is recommended to seek an appointment with a geriatrician, neurologist, or a general practitioner specialized in memory diseases.
When to see a doctor for memory disease?
Decline in short-term memory and behavioral symptoms can be signs of an emerging memory disease. You should see a doctor if memory disease causes behavioral symptoms or a decline in functional capacity. The first contact should be made with a doctor specialized in memory diseases, and for working-age individuals, occupational health care.
Seek a doctor's appointment if you notice the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one:
- Memory symptoms increase from previous
- Repetition occurs
- Difficulty remembering recent events
- Difficulty managing familiar tasks:
- Scheduled appointments are repeatedly forgotten
- Objects disappear and are found in strange places
- Difficulty finding words significantly increases
- Mood changes or behavior becomes different from before.
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Frequently asked questions about memory diseases
A memory disease is a degenerative brain disease, and different diseases affect different areas of the brain, thus impacting various cognitive functions. In some diseases, memory declines first, while in others, executive function or isolation and behavioral change are initial symptoms.
The most common memory diseases are Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment related to cerebrovascular disorder, Lewy body disease, and frontotemporal degeneration.
Memory diseases can be prevented or their onset can be delayed with healthy lifestyle choices. The most important methods are regular exercise, healthy nutrition, brain activation, sufficient sleep, and avoiding substances.
Memory diseases impair memory, learning ability, concentration, executive function, and reasoning skills. Memory diseases also affect emotional life, behavior, and social skills.
Memory diseases are caused by damage and destruction of brain neurons. Risk factors include old age, genetics, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, substance use, and certain sleeping pills.
The mechanism of neuron damage can be various accumulation materials, vascular damage, harmful substances from outside the body such as substances and certain other chemicals.
Treatment of memory diseases consists of medication and non-medication treatments. Treatment is always planned individually and monitored regularly. Memory diseases are treated by neurologists, geriatricians, and general practitioners specialized in memory diseases.
Medication. Medication usually starts with AKE inhibitors, or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which increase the level of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for cognitive abilities, in the brain. Medication improves functional capacity.
Non-medication treatment. Non-medication treatment is an important part of comprehensive care, consisting of regular exercise, brain activation and stimulating activities, maintaining social relationships, healthy nutrition, sufficient sleep and rest, and avoiding substances. A dietary supplement (Souvenaid) has been developed for the early stage treatment of Alzheimer's disease, which can slow down the progression of the disease.
Moving to a care home becomes relevant when independent living at home is no longer safe even with home care support. The decision is made individually, considering functional capacity and the endurance of loved ones.
