Ask the Doctor: Risk of Alzheimers; Working Memory vs. Short-Term Memory; Summertime Seasonal Affective Disorder
Q: Is the risk of Alzheimer’s higher if it runs in the family, like heart disease or cancer?
A: The role of genetics in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the subject of considerable research. Indeed, there is much about AD that is still a mystery. We do know, however, that you don’t need a family history of AD to develop the disease. And yet, we also know that if you have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s you are more likely to develop AD someday. Having more than one first-degree relative raises the risk even more. But it’s important to understand that AD risk is also associated with age, lifestyle and overall health. Having sustained a serious head injury, for example, may raise your risk of AD. Heart disease may also be a significant risk factor, as brain health is dependent on the healthy, uninterrupted circulation of oxygen-rich blood.
If you have a family history of AD, don’t assume it’s inevitable for you. Likewise, you should consider your family history as a red flag warning to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, no smoking, and a heart-healthy diet. You should also do what you can to keep your brain occupied with challenging activities for as long as you can. And if you have questions about your genetic risk, talk with your doctor. Routine genetic testing for the APOE-e4 gene (a so-called “risk” gene associated with AD) isn’t generally recommended, though testing for the gene is often done as part of research studies.
Q: Is “working memory” the same as “short-term memory?”
A: The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not quite the same thing. Working memory is part of short-term memory, in that it allows the brain to retain information we will need later, but usually for a brief time while we’re doing something else. New information in working memory is usually temporary, though sometimes it’s encoded into long-term memory. A good example of working memory is getting directions from someone for how to get to a new location and keeping all the right-left-right instructions in mind while you drive. Learning someone’s name at a party and then recalling it later that evening is another example of working memory.
Q: Is there a summertime version of seasonal affective disorder?
A: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression associated with a change of seasons, and for most people with SAD, this mood disorder occurs during the winter months. The causes of winter SAD are thought to be related to shorter days and less sunlight, which can affect your biological clock (circadian rhythms) and trigger depressive symptoms. Reduced sunlight may also affect your levels of serotonin, a chemical produced by nerve cells. It has many functions, including the regulation of mood.
But summer SAD is very much a real condition, though just not as common as the winter variety. It appears that SAD, whenever it occurs, is related to environmental factors, such as the shorter days and reduced sunlight of winter. In the summer, SAD may be triggered by heat and humidity. Research suggests that many people who experience SAD have higher sensory processing sensitivity, which makes them more vulnerable to environmental factors such as higher temperatures. Studies have also found that people who experience summer SAD symptoms find relief by spending the summer in the north, where it’s cooler. Summer SAD may also be caused by longer days and more sunshine.
If you notice a pattern of mood changes that occur regularly with a change of seasons, talk with your doctor or a therapist. There may be interventions as simple as avoiding the heat as much as possible and spending more time in a cooler, indoor environment.
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