Memory experts at UT Southwestern commonly see patients concerned about developing dementia. The patients may notice taking longer to remember details, or perhaps they’ve forgotten an event entirely.

But when should we worry, and when should we forget about it? asked Dr. Brendan Kelley, a memory disorders expert and Vice Chair for Clinical Operations at UT Southwestern. Sometimes memory issues are simply part of normal aging.

Dr. Kelley offered insight on the issue March 21 at the Carolyn P. Horchow Women’s Health Symposium, an annual campus event that this year included lectures from several doctors from UT  Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute.

Dr. Kelley, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, acknowledged that while no objective measure of normal aging has been established, studies have documented that certain cognitive functions gradually change later in life in many patients who don’t develop dementia.

Taking a couple of minutes to remember someone’s name, for instance, may not require medical attention. But dense amnesia, uncharacteristic poor judgment, or decreased problem-solving skills might be signs of trouble.

Because Americans are living longer and have greater awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, more patients are seeking medical help when they experience symptoms.

Conditions that are associated with aging are of increasing personal and societal importance, Dr. Kelley said. Fortunately, there are many ways that we can decrease the risk of developing cognitive impairment.

He noted memory disorders are strongly associated with lack of sleep, hypertension, high blood pressure, and diabetes, among other factors.

Exercise and healthy dieting, such as the Mediterranean diet, are two primary strategies for reducing risk, he said, but only if they’re implemented early enough.

If you’re going to start exercising after you already have Alzheimer’ disease, you’ve waited too long, Dr. Kelley said. The best treatment is prevention.