Do you constantly misplace your car keys, forget whether you switched off the iron or walk into a room only to go blank about why you went there? You probably despair that your memory is not what it used to be. And you may be right. As the brain ages, memory can deteriorate in some people. Mild forgetfulness in relation to names, appointment times and names of places or people is commonly reported. As we get older, it’s also harder to retain new memories, even though memories from when we were young often remain vivid.

Beating brain drain

At the University of California, Professor Arthur Shimamura studied a group of university professors in their 60s and 70s who were still intellectually active. He then compared their neuropsychological performance to that of their peers and a group of younger people. In several tests of memory, the academics displayed superior concentration and recall (compared with others of the same age) and their results were equal to those of the younger group. These kinds of findings have led an increasing number of scientists to conclude that when it comes to memory and brain function, you should “use it or lose it”.

Research involving animals shows that those kept in a stimulating environment develop lengthening of the connecting nerve fibres in their brain — in contrast to animals living a humdrum life. Such mounting evidence suggests we can literally think our way to a better memory. Intellectual pursuits such as reading, learning, completing brainteasers or puzzles and memorising music could prove the best insurance policies against a deteriorating memory.

When we acquire a new skill (surfing the net) or retrieve a memory (reminiscing about our 21st birthday), we literally activate a memory lane in the brain. Electrical impulses then whiz like a commuter train across tracks of brain cells, setting off chemical interactions like a series of fireworks as they go. But our brains are not computers. Poor diet, lack of sleep, chronic pain, hormone levels, depression and jet lag can all cause our memory to idle in neutral rather than drive. Over time, these chronic problems can also compromise brain function.

Fuzzy thinking

If you are suffering noticeable changes in your memory or brain function or have noticed this in someone you know, it’s important to discount all possible causes. Some medications, such as sleeping tablets, ulcer medications and anti-depressants, can cause fuzzy thinking or even mimic dementia. In high doses, alcohol also becomes a neurotoxin, which can result in irreversible damage to brain cells.

Any lifestyle factor associated with blockage of blood vessels, such as smoking, high cholesterol, heart disease or high blood pressure, may lead to impeded memory function by reducing bloodflow to the brain. Another common memory zapper is stress. Ever noticed how hard it is to keep your mind operating on all four cylinders when you’re having a heavy-duty day? You sit at the computer but can’t focus; go to the shops but forget what you need to buy; misplace your keys or wallet or both. This mental meltdown is a direct result of adrenal fatigue.

Stress-induced brain drain is caused by the hippocampus, a little seahorse-shaped organ in the brain involved in short-term memory. With too much of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain, dendrites (the little branches that connect brain neurons) start to shrink and the hippocampus can’t get through a clear message to stop pumping out adrenalin. In turn, you begin to release dangerously high levels of adrenaline and cortisol habitually, which continues to perpetuate memory and thinking deficits.

This not only inhibits brain function but over time may lead to depression, which then bumps up your risk of dementia. People who have suffered depression are 2.5 times more likely to develop dementia, according to 2008 research from Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. The take-home message? Look after your emotional health.