Amnesia

As we learned in class there are a few essential steps to memory: encoding, storage, and retrieval. if something is messed up in one of these steps, we won't be able to remember the event or information. So, one would think that Amnesia is just a permanent damage to one of these steps (or atleast that's what I thought). What is it really?
When people lose their ability to memorize data, they have amnesia. It also refers to an inability to recall information that's stored in memory. Amnesia is the loss of memory. So it seems to be that my initial assumption was right! Lets look at the different causes of amnesia.
Organic causes may include brain damage through injury or the use of specific drugs. It may be the symptoms of some degenerative brain diseases (like Alzheimer's which we'll get to after).
Functional causes are psychological factors - like defense mechanisms.
Seems simple enough.. But then wouldn't it be fair to assume that Alzheimer's or dementia would also be just another form of damage to one of those steps (encoding, storage, or retrieval)? I would think so!
"Dementia isn't really a specific disease, it's a term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities."--- this was very insightful because I thought that dementia was it's own disease, I was wrong.
Alzheimer's, which is the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Although many think that it has to do with aging, it is not a normal part of aging and it worsens over time. As Alzheimer's progresses, brain cells die and connections among cells are lost, causing cognitive symptoms (memory loses, confusion, and problems with thinking and reasoning) to worsen. There are treatments that can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. The medication can't cure, but it can help lessen or stabilize symptoms for a limited time.
So, one would think that if Alzheimer's is is a form of memory loss, then the treatments would strengthen the steps of memory (encoding, storage, and retrieval). There are things called 'memory medications:' cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. These medications treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Cholinesterase is given during the early to moderate stages. They prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (important for learning and memory). It supports communication among nerve cells. For patients with moderate to severe stages, memantine is usually prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks. It regulates the activity of glutamate (involved in learning and memory as well). It delays the worsening of symptoms temporarily.

      

The pictures above show two abnormal structures (plaques and tangles) that are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells. Plaques are deposits of protein fragment called beta-amyllid that build up in spaces between nerve cells. Tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau that build up inside cells. 

This is also a pretty cool link to a Brain Tour: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp

It explains how the brain works and how Alzheimer's affects it.