Normal aging can cause some forgetfulness. It is normal to have some trouble learning new material or needing more time to remember it. But normal aging does not lead to dramatic memory loss. Such memory loss is due to other diseases.

Memory loss can be caused by many things. To determine a cause, your health care provider will ask if the problem came on suddenly or slowly.

Many areas of the brain help you create and retrieve memories. A problem in any of these areas can lead to memory loss.

Memory loss may result from a new injury to the brain, which is caused by or is present after:

• Brain tumor
• Cancer treatment, such as brain radiation, bone marrow transplant, or chemotherapy
• Concussion or head trauma
• Not enough oxygen getting to the brain when your heart or breathing is stopped for too long
• Severe brain infection or infection around brain
• Major surgery or severe illness, including brain surgery
• Transient global amnesia (sudden, temporary loss of memory) of unclear cause
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
• Hydrocephalus (fluid collection in the brain)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Dementia

Sometimes, memory loss occurs with mental health problems, such as:

• After a major, traumatic or stressful event
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression or other mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia