MEMORY AND MEMORY DISTORTIONS IN AGING & ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Andrew E. Budson, M.D
Center for Translational Cognitive Neuroscience, Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center,
VA Boston Healthcare System,
Professor of Neurology & Associate Director for Research, Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center,
Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

Although memory failure has been the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) since its discovery, only recently have false memories and memory distortions in AD been examined.  Rather than being a mere curiosity, these false and distorted memories cause significant impairment in the lives of patients.  This course will review some of the fundamental research that has allowed us to understand why patients with AD—and even healthy older adults—develop false and distorted memories.  Concepts discussed will include memorial response bias, source memory, item-specific versus gist memory, the effects of fluency, recollection versus familiarity, the distinctiveness heuristic, and the impact of emotion.  Real-world examples will be provided, including case studies and the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Reducing false memories using medications and behavioral interventions such as pictures and music will be discussed.  Learning objectives: (1) to understand why false memories and memory distortions develop in healthy older adults and patients with AD, (2) to recognize false and distorted memories and to distinguish them from psychotic symptoms, and (3) to reduce these false and distorted memories through medical and behavioral interventions to allow both patients with AD and healthy older adults to live healthier, more independent lives.