Dear Readers,

J. Lan is a 34-year-old wife and mother of two children and lives in Portmore, St Catherine. She suffered a miscarriage, then lost her job. Her uncle died leaving his affairs (business and home) in disarray. She was also left with the task of sorting out this situation, amid family quarrels and fights over land and property. She has been taking medication for stress prescribed for her by her physician.

However, recently, something frightening occurred. She found herself driving in New Kingston and for a while she couldn't recall where she was going! She had to pull the car off the road and just sit quietly for several moments before she was able to recall her task. Lan finds this frightening.

Life is so distressing at this time, and this experience just topped it all. She is worried that she has developed Alzheimer's disease. And, although the problem has not recurred she remains concerned.

With memory loss, Alzheimer's is one of the diseases which must always be considered, however briefly. It is always a possibility, although, in this situation, it is probably unlikely. Lan is a bit on the young side for this disorder, although it is not unheard of in this age group. However, she has been living with a seriously stressful set of life issues for several months. She is depressed. She sounds both mentally and physically weary. She is also, very reluctantly, attending to family tasks which she wishes she didn't have to be a part of.

neurotransmitter

Memory recall can fail if the person simply doesn't want to remember or deal with a set of upsetting circumstances.

Memory involves the registration and recall of information, thoughts, experiences and sensations in the mind. This mental registration can only properly occur if the information being recorded is clear and also clearly understood. Brain neurotrans- mitters (chemicals) create the pathways to record and retrieve stored memory. Memory cannot be stored if it has not been properly perceived and it cannot be retrieved if not properly stored. Anything interfering with any stage of this process can result in memory impairment or loss.

If we are not paying attention to the task while information is being presented to us, then it will be difficult to recall the information. Older people also have increasing difficulties with memory. There is some degeneration of brain cells as we age, as well as the fact that brain cells also become less sensitive to the effects of the brain neurotransmitters with increasing age. This results in more difficulties in concentrating and learning. New memories in the older person are not as well registered or stored, and recall is therefore less proficient. There are medications and nutritional supplements which slow down this degeneration. There are also some medications which can actually contribute to poor memory. Some blood pressure medications, certain anti-depressants and alcohol can contribute to periods of time when there is loss of memory, although the person seems conscious.

Lan should, nevertheless, return to her physician for a further check-up as there are many medical conditions which can present loss of memory. These include:

❒ Thyroid disease

❒ Adrenal disease

❒ Low blood sugar

❒ Pituitary disease

❒ aids

❒ Nutritional deficiencies

❒ Head trauma

❒ Stroke

❒ Cancer

❒ Seizures

❒ Parkinson's disease

❒ Syphilis

❒ Alzheimer's disease, etc.

To help memory function, one should exercise both body and mind. Mind exercises include doing word puzzles, reading the newspaper regularly, learning new skills.

Also, eating a healthy, well-balanced, high-fibre diet with a lot of vegetables, whole grains and lean protein from fish and chicken, is important. Fish is good 'brain food' as it contains choline which the brain converts to a neurotransmitter, which has an important role to play in the memory and learning process.

Refined sugars and alcohol should be avoided; anti-oxidant nutrients (for example, vitamin C) should be taken regularly to fight the free-radicals that damage brain cells.

Proper rest is also important.

Write Lifeline

PO Box 1731

Kgn 8

'There is some

degeneration of brain cells as we age, as well as the fact that brain cells also become less sensitive to the effects

of the brain

neurotransmitters with increasing age.'