Losing your memory or watching a loved one lose theirs can be confusing and challenging. It’s important to know that not all memory loss is the same. While amnesia is a broad term for serious memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease is a specific condition that can cause it.

Some myALZteam members have discussed memory loss and other early symptoms they’ve seen in their loved ones. “My husband has forgotten past memories,” one member shared. “In fact, that was one of the things we noticed, besides his loss of direction, when we first noticed something was wrong. His short-term memory is not good either.”

Another member said, “My mother does not recall any memories. It’s not only surprising, but very difficult to converse with her about any subjects, since her short-term memory is poor and she has no recollection of memories from the past.”

In the early stages of memory loss, you might wonder if it’s Alzheimer’s that is causing the amnesia or something else. Read on to learn some of the key differences between Alzheimer’s disease and general amnesia.

1. Amnesia Is a Symptom of Alzheimer’s

When you think of Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia might be the first symptom that comes to mind. After all, it’s the most common Alzheimer’s symptom. Amnesia is one of many cognitive changes that can happen to a person with Alzheimer’s.

Amnesia caused by Alzheimer’s affects both short-term and long-term memory. This can cause someone to have trouble remembering both recent events and experiences from the distant past. They might also struggle to remember familiar people, recognize faces, remember facts, or know where they are at a given time. These memory issues go beyond occasional forgetfulness — like losing your phone or wondering if you left the oven on — and can significantly impact daily life.

With any type of amnesia, including the memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease, it’s often family and friends who notice the memory loss first, not the person experiencing it.

2. Alzheimer’s Isn’t the Only Cause of Amnesia

Alzheimer’s disease is one cause of amnesia, but it’s far from the only one. In some cases, amnesia has no clear cause at all. Memory loss can come from either neurological issues (problems with brain function) or psychological conditions (mental health problems).

Neurological Causes

Alzheimer’s disease is just one of many neurological causes of amnesia. It’s caused by changes in brain structure and brain function. Other neurological causes of amnesia include:

• Head or brain injuries
• Cerebral hypoxia (brain damage due to a lack of oxygen)
• Drug use (nonmedical)
• Brain aneurysms (bulging blood vessels in the brain)
• Brain tumors
• Seizures
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Poisoning
• Alcohol intoxication
• Stroke

Psychological Causes

Mental health conditions can also trigger amnesia, although the reasons why aren’t yet fully understood. Researchers believe memory loss in these cases may be the brain’s way of protecting someone from harmful memories or distressing thought processes. Memory loss is sometimes seen in people with dissociative disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

3. Alzheimer’s Has Many Risk Factors

While amnesia has many possible causes, Alzheimer’s results from a specific disease process. This process was first identified by Dr. Alois Alzheimer. Dr. Alzheimer examined the brain of a person with the condition and found distinctive changes: amyloid plaques (clumps of abnormal proteins) and tau tangles (tangled fibers in the brain). These features, along with broken nerve connections in the brain, are key signs of Alzheimer’s. However, they don’t appear in everyone with amnesia.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t usually have one clear cause, like some types of amnesia do. But certain risk factors can make it more likely for someone to get Alzheimer’s:

• Genetic (hereditary) changes — If a close family member like a parent or sibling has Alzheimer’s, you’re 10 percent to 30 percent more likely to develop it too.
• Race and ethnicity — Alzheimer’s is more common in people who are Black or Latino, according to Cleveland Clinic.
• Age — Alzheimer’s mostly affects people over 65.
• Environment — Where you live or spend time may contribute to Alzheimer’s.
• Certain health conditions — Having heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, or Down syndrome can raise your risk for Alzheimer’s.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) — You’re more likely to develop Alzheimer’s if you experience a traumatic brain injury. TBIs can also cause amnesia.

4. Amnesia Can Be Reversible, but Alzheimer’s Is Not

Alzheimer’s disease isn’t reversible, which means there currently isn’t a cure. Some treatments can slow the loss of memory and help with symptoms, but Alzheimer’s disease is always progressive (the symptoms get worse over time). Alzheimer’s is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.

Amnesia is different. Some kinds of amnesia can be reversed if doctors treat the underlying cause — like blood clots or depression. One type of amnesia, called transient global amnesia, involves only temporary memory loss, usually for one to 24 hours.

If you or someone you know is experiencing amnesia, it’s important to talk to a doctor to find out the cause and what to expect.

Anterograde Amnesia vs. Retrograde Amnesia

There are two main types of memory loss: anterograde and retrograde amnesia.

Anterograde amnesia makes it hard to form new memories. You may remember things from the past, but your brain can’t store new information after the memory loss begins. This type of memory loss is permanent in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Retrograde amnesia affects your ability to recall past memories — especially things that happened before the memory loss began. In some cases, people can recover these memories over time, depending on the cause.

People living with Alzheimer’s disease often experience both types of memory loss. Anterograde amnesia usually appears first, making it harder to learn or remember recent events.

5. Alzheimer’s Is Progressive, Amnesia Is Not

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, meaning it keeps getting worse. But amnesia doesn’t always get worse over time — it depends on what caused it. While the progression of amnesia isn’t always easy to predict, your doctor can give you some idea of what to expect based on its cause.

6. Alzheimer’s Usually Affects Older Adults

Memory loss is more common among older people, as forgetfulness is common with age. As you age, you might misplace items more frequently or take longer to remember things. Not everyone with age-related forgetfulness has Alzheimer’s or amnesia — it can just be a normal part of aging. But more serious memory problems should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

More than 90 percent of people with Alzheimer’s are age 65 or older. Alzheimer’s risk gets higher as you age. About 1 in 13 people ages 65 to 84 has Alzheimer’s, and 1 in 3 people over 85 has it. Alzheimer’s in children is extremely rare.

Amnesia isn’t as closely tied to age as Alzheimer’s. Many causes of amnesia, including PTSD or head injuries, can affect a person at any age.

You Can Manage Mild Memory Loss

Caregivers and people with memory loss can follow these tips to help manage mild memory loss in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other types of amnesia:

• Make to-do lists.
• Use a planner or calendar to organize your schedule.
• Try mentally stimulating tasks like puzzles or brain games.
• Follow a regular daily routine.
• Designate a spot for important items — like keys and wallet — and always keep them there.
• Socialize with friends and family.
• Get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.

Talk to a doctor if you or a loved one experiences significant memory loss beyond occasional forgetfulness. Doctors can treat many underlying causes of amnesia to improve memory problems. They can also provide treatment to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s disease.

Have you or a loved one experienced memory loss? Do you have symptoms of amnesia or Alzheimer’s disease? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.