What is memory?

Memory is one of our cognitive (mental) functions. It is our

ability to take in and store information, as well as to recall it.
When information goes in to our memory, this is known as
encoding. Recalling information is known as retrieval.

Memory problems
and brain tumours
If you have a brain tumour or have received
treatment for a brain tumour, it is possible
that you could experience memory difficulties.
Memory difficulties could be because of the
tumour itself or may be a result of surgery
or treatment such as chemotherapy or
radiotherapy. The effects on memory differ
in both symptoms and severity from person
to person and not everyone who has a brain
tumour will experience memory problems.
Memory difficulties can have a huge impact
on your quality of life and relationships.
This fact sheet aims to outline some of the
memory difficulties associated with brain
tumours and to provide some practical
suggestions for ways of coping with these.

In this fact sheet:

What is memory?
Types of memory
How does a brain tumour affect memory?
Answers to some common questions you
may have about memory problems.

Although we do not yet fully understand exactly how memory

works, we do know that it involves many different parts of the
brain and that it is not just one process, but several. As scientists
believe that there is not one single place in the brain where
memories are stored, it is not possible to predict how a persons
memory will be affected based on where their brain tumour is.

Types of memory
Short term memory (also known as working memory)
This type of memory is used when we remember things from
just a few seconds ago, for example the name of a person we
have just met or a passcode to a door. Short term memory lasts
for approximately 20 seconds and can be converted into long
term memory.
Long term memory
Long term memory stores and allows you to recall information
from the past, whether this is a minute ago, a year ago or many
decades ago. These memories can include facts that you learnt
at school, memories a family holiday from your childhood or
memories of your wedding day.
Long term memory can be further divided in to three sub-types:

Episodic memory
Episodic memory is the memory of specific events or
experiences (for example a family members birthday or
remembering where you were when you heard particular
news stories such as the death of Diana Princess of Wales
or 9/11).

Memory can also be divided into:

Visual memory
Memories that have been created visually (for example
memory of peoples faces).

Verbal memory
Memories that have been created through words and
sounds (for example hearing a song and remembering
a particular place associated with that song).

How does a brain tumour

affect memory?
Due to its complex nature, memory can be affected in many
different ways and at different levels of severity. Damage in
the brain can be confined to one area (focal) or widely spread
(diffuse). Your tumour type and treatment can affect how
widespread the damage is and therefore the impact on your
memory. Memory problems can include loss of memory for
events and information about your life before you had a brain
tumour or difficulties processing new information and
therefore ability to form new memories and to learn.

Procedural memory
Procedural memory is a type of memory that allows us to
carry out activities without really thinking about them (for
example driving or riding a bike).

Types of memory problems

Semantic memory
Semantic memory is a type of memory that gives us general
information about the world we live in without being tied to
a specific instance or context that we learnt it (for example,
being able to name capital cities or knowing the names of
different dog breeds).

Retrograde amnesia
Retrograde amnesia describes loss of memory of the time
leading up to a brain injury. This may therefore include loss
of memories from before you had a brain tumour or before
you had treatment.

Memory problems are sometimes referred to as amnesia.

There are different types of amnesia:

Continued overleaf >

Retrograde amnesia could occur because the memories

themselves have been affected or because there has been
an impact on your ability to retrieve (recall) the memories.

Anterograde amnesia
Anterograde amnesia is when you have difficulties
remembering information and events that have
happened since you had a brain tumour.

Some tips on coping with memory problems that you may find
helpful are:

This may affect your ability to learn new information

or to remember people you have met since having the
brain tumour.

How is memory assessed?

Memory problems are usually assessed by a neuropsychologist
or a clinical psychologist. They use various memory tests to
help identify which part of your memory functioning has been
affected and to give you ways of coping. The tests may assess
your ability to store and recall information and your ability to
solve problems. An example of a memory test is asking you to
recall a list of words.

There are a number of strategies and different people will find

different things helpful. It is therefore important not to give
up if one strategy does not work for you.

Remembering appointments
Write appointments in a diary as soon as you have made
them and get in to the habit of checking your diary regularly.
You can also use alarms on watches or mobile phones to
remind you of specific tasks or appointments or even just
to remind you to check your diary.
Medication organisers or pill boxes
When you are receiving treatment for a brain tumour it
is important to remember to take your medication. If you
have difficulty remembering to take medication regularly,
you may wish to buy a medication organiser or pill box.
These are available from most pharmacies.

Develop a set routine

Try to develop a set routine and try to leave items in the
same places around your home so that you know where to
look for them. For example, if you have difficulty finding your
house keys, try to always leave them in the same drawer or
try leaving a note on the door reminding you to take them.

Leave yourself reminder notes

Reminder notes can help you with things you might
otherwise forget, for example, you could leave yourself
a note by the front door reminding you to check that
windows are closed and that the hob is off before you leave
the house or you can leave a note on your bedside table at
night reminding you to check you have locked up.

How can I cope with

memory problems?
Memory loss can have a huge impact on your life and on
those around you, both in practical terms as well as emotional.
Some people find memory problems frightening and feel that
they are losing their grip on life. To minimise the impact of
memory difficulties, try to recognise the problems you are
having. Your health team will be able to advise you on ways
to cope with the specific difficulties you are experiencing and
will help you devise some coping strategies for living with
memory difficulties.

Try to keep things simple

Dont have too high expectations of yourself and try to avoid
multi tasking, which can cause confusion.

Resources for coping with memory

problems
While The Brain Tumour Charity cannot recommend any
specific organisations or resources, the following organisations
and resources provide support and information for people
with memory problems:

Coping with memory problems:

A practical guide for people with memory impairments,
their relatives, friends and carers (1997), Linda Clare.

Alzheimers Society
Being diagnosed with a brain tumour does not mean that
you will experience dementia, however, you may find some
of the resources that Alzheimers Society offer helpful if
you experience memory loss.
Alzheimers Society is the leading support and research
charity for those affected by dementia. Their website
contains information about memory loss.
www.alzheimers.org.uk
0845 3000 336

Mental capacity and the law:

www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

You may also find our fact sheet personality changes and brain
tumours helpful.

Store telephone numbers

For easy access, you could store useful telephone numbers
in your phone or on a single piece of paper. You could list
an in case of emergency (ICE) number in your phone so that
someone else can find it for you even if you cannot.

Continued overleaf >

What if I have further questions?

If you require further information, any clarification of
information, or wish to discuss any concerns, please contact
our Information and Support Team:

Call: 0808 800 0004

(free from landlines and most mobiles:
3, O2, Orange, T-mobile, EE, Virgin and Vodafone)

Email: info@thebraintumourcharity.org
Join our online forums at:
thebraintumourcharity.org

Memory problems
Your notes

About us
The Brain Tumour Charity makes every effort to ensure that
we provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased facts about
brain tumours. We hope that these will add to the medical
advice you have already been given. Please do continue to
talk to your doctor if you are worried about any medical issues.
We are the UKs leading brain tumour charity. We fund
scientific and clinical research into brain tumours and offer
information and support to those affected, whilst raising
awareness and influencing policy.
We rely 100% on charitable donations to fund our vital work.
If you would like to make a donation, or want to find out
about other ways to support us including fundraising, leaving
a gift in your will or giving in memory, please visit us at
thebraintumourcharity.org or call us on 01252 749990

About this fact sheet

This fact sheet has been written and edited by The Brain
Tumour Charitys Information and Support Team. The
accuracy of medical information has been verified by a leading
neuro-psychiatrist. Our fact sheets have been produced with
the assistance of patient and carer representatives and
up-to-date, reliable sources of evidence. If you would like a
list of references for any of the fact sheets, or would like more
information about how we produce them, please contact us.

Saving lives through research,

information, awareness & policy
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The Brain Tumour Charity
Version 1, January 2013. Review date, by January 2015