Neuroscientist Lisa Genova discusses memory lapses, brain functions, and the crucial role of memory in daily life. Explore memory creation, retention processes, and the portrayal of neurological diseases in novels. Learn about Alzheimer's disease, prevention, genetic testing, and the shared humanity in facing neurological conditions.
Memory failures are not always signs of cognitive decline, often due to distractions.
The brain prioritizes remembering emotional and meaningful information over routine details.
Deep dives
Memory and the brain: Neuroscientist Lisa Genova shares her insights
Neuroscientist and author Lisa Genova delves into the complexities of memory and the brain, recounting a personal experience of forgetting where she parked her car. She emphasizes that memory failures like this do not always reflect cognitive decline, often stemming from distractions. Genova highlights the misconception that memory should be flawless, debunking the notion that forgetting signifies aging or impairment.
The impact of memory on everyday life
Genova explains memory creation through four key steps: encoding sensory information into neurological language, linking data into neural circuits, storing the information in the brain, and later retrieving the memories by activating the neural circuits. She underscores that the brain prioritizes remembering meaningful, emotional, and novel information, while routine details may be overlooked.
Strategies for enhancing memory
Genova discusses lifestyle factors influencing memory, such as quality sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and mental stimulation. She contrasts common forgetfulness with concerning memory lapses, like unusual item placements or recurring tip-of-the-tongue moments, indicative of potential cognitive issues.
Empowering brain health
Genova emphasizes the role of genes and lifestyle in brain health, citing the importance of clinical trials for genetic predispositions. She advocates for understanding and empathy towards individuals facing neurological conditions, stressing that memory loss does not diminish emotional connections or the essence of human experience.
Original broadcast date: December 23, 2022. Our brains are magnificently complex - and highly fallible. This hour, neuroscientist and novelist Lisa Genova explains how to keep our brains healthy and what to do when something goes wrong.
TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at plus.npr.org/ted.