Lacunar Strokes: Short-Term Memory Loss And Recovery

A lacunar stroke is a clot that blocks a small artery deep in the brain. It is a leading cause of vascular dementia and mild cognitive impairment. A stroke often leads to short-term memory loss, and about one-third of stroke survivors experience short-term memory problems. Lacunar strokes are more likely to occur in older people and are associated with high blood pressure and diabetes. They can also be caused by smoking, high levels of fats in the blood, and genetic factors. Short-term memory loss can cause people to get lost in familiar places, mix up instructions, and forget things they were told recently.

Lacunar strokes and short-term memory loss

Lacunar strokes, where a clot blocks a small artery deep in the brain, make up 25% of ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke. They are a leading cause of cognitive impairment and vascular dementia, and often result in short-term memory loss.

Memory Loss After a Stroke

Memory loss is more common in older stroke survivors. It can include verbal memory (names, stories, language), visual memory (shapes, faces, routes), and informational memory (skills, learning new things). Symptoms of memory loss may include confusion, wandering or getting lost in familiar places, difficulty following instructions, and trouble performing everyday tasks.

Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory is a temporary storehouse for information, allowing us to remember things just long enough to use them. For example, when reading a telephone number, we use our short-term memory to remember it for the few seconds it takes to dial. It is also known as working memory.

Lacunar Strokes and Memory Loss

Lacunar strokes are a leading cause of cognitive impairment and vascular dementia, with almost half of lacunar stroke patients experiencing some form of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This includes short-term memory loss, with patients experiencing problems with recent memory but retaining immediate and remote memory.

Treating Memory Loss After a Lacunar Stroke

Memory can improve over time, either spontaneously or through rehabilitation, but symptoms can last for years. Brain retraining techniques can help improve cognitive function, and there is evidence that common drugs used to treat heart and circulatory disorders may improve cognitive function after a lacunar stroke.

Verbal, visual, and informational memory loss

Memory loss is a broad term for any issue with forming, storing, or recalling memories. It can be either temporary or permanent and is often more likely to occur with increasing age.

Lacunar strokes, where a clot blocks a small artery deep in the brain, make up 25% of ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke. They tend to occur in older people and often result in cognitive impairment and dementia.

Now, let's delve into the specifics of verbal, visual, and informational memory loss:

Verbal Memory Loss

Verbal memory refers to the ability to recall and recognize words and language. It involves storing and retrieving words, sentences, and other verbal information. Verbal memory is essential for communication and language comprehension.

In the context of lacunar strokes, studies have found that patients who have experienced a lacunar stroke often exhibit verbal memory impairments. This can include difficulties in recalling words, sentences, or even entire conversations. They may struggle with finding the right words to express themselves or understanding and retaining verbal instructions.

Visual Memory Loss

Visual memory, on the other hand, is the ability to recall and recognize visual information such as images, pictures, objects, or scenes. It involves storing and retrieving visual details, colours, shapes, and spatial relationships.

Lacunar strokes can also impact visual memory, leading to difficulties in recognising familiar objects or faces, recalling visual details of events or places, and even navigating familiar environments.

Informational Memory Loss

Informational memory loss refers to the inability to retain and recall factual information. This can include remembering names, dates, events, or general knowledge. It is often associated with conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Lacunar strokes, as a form of cerebrovascular disease, can contribute to informational memory loss. The disruption in blood flow to the brain can damage areas responsible for storing and retrieving factual information. This can result in difficulties recalling specific details, such as names or dates, and may also impact one's ability to acquire new information.

In summary, lacunar strokes can indeed cause short-term memory loss, including verbal, visual, and informational memory impairments. These memory deficits can vary in severity and may improve over time with rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions.

Rehabilitation and treatment options

In the Hospital

Once you arrive at the emergency room, a healthcare professional will likely recommend aspirin and other medications to reduce your risk of having another stroke. Supportive measures may be necessary to assist your breathing and heart function.

You may receive intravenous clot-busting drugs. For people with severe lacunar infarct, a doctor can deliver medications directly into the brain. If these anti-clotting treatments don’t work, a neurosurgeon can perform a mechanical thrombectomy to remove the clot.

Medication

Following initial treatment, doctors will likely prescribe blood-thinning drugs to prevent more blood clots from developing. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help manage cholesterol, blood pressure, and sugar levels to reduce the risk of another stroke.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation after a lacunar stroke varies depending on the severity and location of the stroke. For example, a lacunar stroke that impacts the thalamus can cause changes in sensation, whereas a stroke that impacts the basal ganglia can result in changes in motor function.

The good news is that many of the secondary effects caused by a lacunar stroke can be restored through rehabilitation and the promotion of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself. When neural pathways in the brain become damaged after a stroke, neuroplasticity helps the brain create and strengthen new ones.

Therapy

Treatment may include a variety of different therapies, such as:

• Occupational therapy to help you maximise your independence with activities of daily living such as eating and bathing.
• Physical therapy to improve motor-related secondary effects after a lacunar stroke.
• Speech-language therapy to help survivors improve their speech by retraining the muscles that control the mouth.

Brain Stimulation Training

The brain has a certain amount of plasticity, meaning it can reorganise itself. If part of the brain is damaged by a stroke, it can learn to use different areas to carry out the tasks that were once assigned to those parts.

To stimulate your brain and improve memory and cognitive ability, you can try new hobbies that involve both the mind and body. Exercise is also important, as physical fitness adds to overall physical and mental health.

Tips for Managing Memory Loss

• Have a place for everything.
• Have a routine. Set daily routines, such as bedtime tasks, in the same specific sequence every day.
• Post daily activities and special events on a large calendar.
• Keep a notebook of important information handy.
• Use memory cues.
• Break tasks down into easy steps.
• Try mental techniques, such as verbal prompts, mental pictures, and repetition.

Signs of memory loss

Memory loss is a common occurrence after a stroke, especially in the first few weeks and months. Lacunar strokes, which are a leading cause of cognitive impairment, can cause short-term memory loss. Here are some signs of memory loss to look out for:

Short-Term Memory Loss

• Difficulty recalling what someone just said or what you were about to do.
• Getting lost in familiar places or routes.
• Mixing up instructions or struggling to follow directions.
• Forgetting current or recent events, such as appointments or conversations.
• Struggling to learn new information, routines, or tasks that were once easy.
• Difficulty with language, such as finding the right words or using the wrong words.

Long-Term Memory Loss

• Difficulty recalling important dates, appointments, or when something was last done.
• Trouble remembering where things are placed.
• Forgetting names or details from past conversations.

It is important to note that memory problems may not always be due to an issue with memory itself. They can often be related to problems with attention, concentration, sleep, or emotional factors like anxiety. Additionally, memory loss may be a direct result of the stroke or caused by other factors such as certain medications, substance use, lack of sleep, depression, stress, or poor nutrition.

Tips for managing memory loss

Lacunar strokes, where a clot blocks a small artery deep in the brain, can cause memory loss. They make up 25% of ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke. A stroke can cause brain damage, long-term disability, and even death. Memory loss after a stroke is common, especially in the first weeks and months. It often affects short-term memory more than long-term memory.

• Use memory aids: Utilise calendars, diaries, notepads, and phone reminders to keep track of appointments, record daily tasks and conversations, and set alarms for medication.
• Create visual reminders: Leave essential items like keys or wallets near the front door. Use labels on cupboards and drawers, or pictures instead of written labels, to help you remember where things belong.
• Establish a routine: Stick to a daily routine as much as possible. Doing certain tasks at the same time every day, such as taking medication or locking doors, can reduce the burden on your memory.
• Reduce distractions: Tiredness, stress, and emotional problems like anxiety can make it harder to concentrate and remember things. Plan time to rest throughout the day and try to manage stress levels.
• Try memory techniques: Use acronyms, mental pictures, or verbal prompts to help you remember. For example, create a mental image to associate with a name or address, or use the acronym 'SLAC' to remember to set the alarm, lock the door, and close the gate when leaving the house.
• Engage in brain training: Play brain games, such as crosswords, word-recall games, or mobile apps dedicated to memory training, to strengthen your memory.
• Improve your diet: Reduce your consumption of added sugar and refined carbohydrates, which have been linked to cognitive decline. Increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and berries, which are rich in antioxidants and may help improve memory.
• Supplement your diet: Consider taking a fish oil supplement, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are important for brain health.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity has been shown to improve cognitive performance, including memory, across all age groups. Even a single bout of 15 minutes of moderate exercise can have benefits.
• Meditate and practise mindfulness: Meditation has been found to increase grey matter in the brain and improve spatial working memory. Mindfulness techniques can help lower stress and improve concentration and memory.

Frequently asked questions