Memory loss is not a normal part of aging. While some aspects of memory and thinking change with age (slower retrieval, for example) the brain can be expected to function as accurately as it did when an older adult was younger. If thinking, memory and judgment are declining, there is cause for concern. Potential causes of memory loss other than probable Alzheimer's disease include depression, medication interactions, strokes, chemical imbalances, hypothyroidism. The person needs to be thoroughly evaluated for the possible cause of the memory and judgment problems.
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The University of Kansas Medical Center