Tracking the source of a train hobbyist’s memory loss
A patient passes the time making fishing sinkers and model steam engines, but his hobbies ultimately expose the cause of his mysterious memory loss
Andy, a 52-year-old laboratory manager, presents with a six-month history of worsening memory and short-term recall problems. He also reports dizziness and occasional left leg weakness.
At his worst, he has needed frequent reminders from his wife, Jen, to complete day-to-day tasks, and his work has been so significantly impacted that he has had to take time off.
His mood and sleep have not been affected, although he has been uncharacteristically snappy recently. Systems review is otherwise unremarkable.
His medical history includes type 2 diabetes, hypertension and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, which are usually controlled with metformin–empagliflozin, ramipril and esomeprazole.
