Personal memories, known as anecdotal memories, can and do often return after brain injury. Sometimes this can take place over the course of the initial recovery period, while other memories may take weeks, months or even years to gradually return.
People may remain confused and unable to store memories for some time after the injury. The loss of memory from the moment of TBI onward is called post-traumatic amnesia. It can last from a few minutes to several weeks or months, depending on the severity of brain injury.
You may also experience difficulties with your memory after brain surgery if surgeons had to remove brain cells that were responsible for your memory. Regaining memory after brain surgery will depend on whether the memory loss is caused by temporary swelling or the removal of brain cells responsible for your memory.
Regular, non-strenuous exercise is one of the best activities you can do to improve short-term memory after brain injury. According to several studies, aerobic exercise actually stimulates the growth of new brain cells and improves memory and cognition.
Short-term memory loss is something that should not be taken lightly and should be investigated further. Some memory problems are the result of treatable conditions, and memory loss can often be reversed when the condition is treated correctly.
There are many possible causes of short-term memory loss, some of which are only temporary and can be remedied. However, many medical conditions that cause short-term memory loss are permanent and might lead to long-term memory loss. Short-term memory loss is often the first sign of certain medical conditions.
Short-term memory (STM), also referred to as short-term storage, or primary or active memory indicates different systems of memory involved in the retention of pieces of information (memory chunks) for a relatively short time (usually up to 30 seconds).
In total, it typically takes about 4-8 weeks to make a full recovery from a brain surgery. The initial incisions on your head may be sore for about a week afterwards. You may have some mild headaches for a period of about 4-8 weeks as well.
Most available evidence suggests that the functions of memory are carried out by the hippocampus and other related structures in the temporal lobe. (The hippocampus and the amygdala, nearby, also form part of the limbic system, a pathway in the brain (more...)
Your Recovery
You will probably feel very tired for several weeks after surgery. You may also have headaches or problems concentrating. It can take a month or two to recover from surgery. Your cuts (incisions) may be sore after surgery.
Some people recover well after brain surgery, but this can take some time. Other people have some problems, or long term difficulties. The problems you may have depends on the area of the brain where the tumour was (or still is if you only had part of the tumour removed).
Amnesia caused by brain injury or damage is known as neurological amnesia. Possible causes of neurological amnesia include: Stroke. Brain inflammation, which may be due to an infection with a virus such as herpes simplex virus.
A major surgery and its treatments can cause changes in a personality and ability to think. Patients may experience challenges with their communication, concentration, memory and emotional abilities. Most brain tumor patients exhibit signs that are consistent with depression and agitation, especially post surgery.
In many cases, it may be reversible with treatment. For example, memory loss from medications may resolve with a change in medication. Nutritional supplements can be useful against memory loss caused by a nutritional deficiency. And treating depression may be helpful for memory when depression is a factor.
Short-Term and Long-Term Memory Loss Caused by Brain Damage
A traumatic brain injury can damage parts of the brain that control memory and learning. It can cause short-term memory loss that impacts daily life, as well as long-term memory loss that impacts past and future memories.
Short-term working memory relies most heavily on the prefrontal cortex.
The area of short-term memory is located in the lower part of the temporal lobe and is of great importance for the temporary storage (a few tens of seconds) of an event, before it is eventually and lastingly preserved. The temporal area is part of the limbic system.
When we visit a friend or go to the beach, our brain stores a short-term memory of the experience in a part of the brain called the hippocampus. Those memories are later “consolidated” — that is, transferred to another part of the brain for longer-term storage.
Part of a successful brain surgery recovery is challenging your brain with cognitively stimulating or engaging tasks. Any activity that requires focus and engagement can give your brain a boost. Memory games, puzzles, painting, yoga and meditation – these activities have therapeutic value and aid in recovery.
The main identifiable symptom of transient global amnesia is the sudden, but temporary, loss of short-term memory and not being able to form new memories.
Some of the possible complications following craniotomy include allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, bleeding, infection, brain damage, brain swelling, stroke and seizures.