Epilepsy and Your Memory

Many people with epilepsy report that memory problems have impacted their lives, but new research suggests that hope is on the horizon.

A study from NYU Langone Medical Center, published in Nature Medicine in April, offers a possible explanation for memory and learning problems in people with epilepsy. Brain cells in people with epilepsy send signals that make up “empty memories.” They involve a part of the brain that is not usually part of the memory factory, but it interprets the data as it does memories.

The findings have implications for the development of new treatments, including an implantable device that might interrupt the disease-related signals.

Meanwhile, here are some tips to help you remember:

Routine

Know what to expect embrace structure and establish habits. Use every tool: notebook, calendar, sticky notes, digital recorder, lists, timers, phone apps, etc. whatever works best for you.

Mnemonics

Verbal or visual cues can aid memory. Say you meet a guy named Dan, and you think, Dan has a van. Picture him driving a van. Acronyms can be helpful, too, as can recounting the alphabet to remember a word.

Rhythm

Two of the Epilepsy Advocates in this issue use music. Alyssa K. says, “I’ll put a tune to whatever it is and sing it in my head until it’s memorized.” Chris M. adds, “Songs are easy for me to remember, so I use rhythm often.”

Disclosure

There’s nothing wrong with talking straight, and you may build a bridge by sharing your diagnosis: “Tell me your name again? My epilepsy causes me to forget the names of good-looking people.”

Originally printed in EpilepsyAdvocate, Winter 2016