Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Written with warmth and clarity, this book belongs in the hands of anyone who has agonized over an aging friend or relative or worries about his own capacity to remember. No physical problem is as destructive or frightening as the loss of memory. Stress, pain, depression, overmedication, stroke, or Alzheimer's disease -- these are just some of the causes. In this fully revised and updated book, an internationally known neurosurgeon and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital outlines the latest treatments that help reverse memory loss: New forms of memory recently discovered by researchers, new tests to evaluate memory capacity, new research on the effects of prescription medications, including widely used antidepressants, and brain "poisons", new research on the important role of nutrition and exercise in promoting memory, advances in early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's, and promising new research on the regeneration of damaged brain cells.
Description
Includes bibliographical references and index.
About the Author
Vernon H. Mark, M.D., is a clinical associate in the Department of Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Peviously he was the chief of neurosurgery at Boston City Hospital.Jeffrey P. Mark has a master's degree in public health from Tufts University and is the coauthor, with Dr. Mark, of BRAIN POWER.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Jonathan D. Lieff, M.D. xi
Introduction Take Charge of Your Life 1
Part I What is Vital Memory?
1. How Vital Memory Controls Life 7 2. The Memory Process 2 3. Memory Testing 38
Part II Reversal of Memory Loss 4. Bad Memories: The Leading Cause of Memory Loss 51 5. Memory Loss and Aging 68 6. Depression: The Most Common Cause of Reversible Vital Memory Loss and Intellectural Deterioration 87 7. Other Potential Causes of Reversible Memory Loss 106 8. Alcoholism, Brain Poisoning, and Memory Loss 111 9. The Effects of Stimulants, Depressants, and Drugs That Produce Hallucinations on Memory and Intelligence 122 10. Prescription Medications That Cause Memory Loss 131
Part III Diet and Reversible Memory Loss 11. Memory Loss Related to Brain Nutrition 145 12. The Chemistry of the Body and How It Affects the Mind (Especially Vital Memory) 158 13. Memory and Brain Metabolism 14. Thyroid Dysfunction and Memory Loss 180
Part IV Diseases and Injuries That Cause Memory Loss 15. Brain Infections That Cause Memory Loss 191 16. Closed-Head Injuries and Memory Loss 202 17. Epilepsy and Memory Loss 209 18. Strokes and Memory Loss 214 19. Surgically Treatable Causes of Memory Loss 235 20. Degenerative Brain Disease and Memory Loss 246
Part V Hope For the Future 21. Prevention; What You Can Do to Avoid Memory Loss 263 22. Predictions: Preventing and Reversing Memory Loss 286
Bibliography 295 Supplemental Reading 301 Index 333