A really fascinating article today in the NYT’s about the “super-memory” study of the 1 in 200 people who make it to 90 with their cognition largely in tact. And the 1 in 600 who make it to 95 without a diagnosis of dementia. The study of these folks by USC and UC Irivine is [...]
Archive for the ‘science of memory’ Category
Bridge Game Irony
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, science of memory, tagged 90+ study, alzheimer's, cards, memory loss, super-memory on May 22, 2009 | 1 Comment »
The Pre-Game to HBO’s Alzheimer’s Documentaries
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, film, public education, science of memory, tagged alzheimer's, David Shenk, dementia, film, HBO Alzheimer's, Maria Shriver, Naomi Boak, NYTs Magazine, peter whitehouse on May 1, 2009 | 2 Comments »
And now we learn, in the 2 weeks before the release of HBO’s new Alzheimer’s Project on May 10th, that Maria Shriver is an executive producer. She’s making the press rounds to promote the project now – I’ve seen her last Sunday’s NYT’s Magazine and this article and interview in AARP’s mag. I am reminded [...]
Cognitive Enhancement in the Age of Dementia
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, history of memory, public education, science of memory, tagged adderall, carl elliott, memory loss, neuro enhancers, peter whitehouse on April 25, 2009 | 2 Comments »
I just read a fascinating article called “Brain Gain” in the most recent New Yorker. At first blush, one might not connect the stories of college students (or professional poker-players) taking “neuro-enhancers” like Adderall for a cognitive boost with concerns over memory loss. But raising for bar for “normal” cognition creates greater pressure and worry [...]
Stigma and Worry Worsens Memory
Posted in cultural phenom, science of memory, tagged aging, memory tests, stigma of memory loss on April 22, 2009 | Comments Off
Saw an interesting article today based on a study from NC State. Dr Tom Hess found that older adults performed worse on memory tests if negative stereotypes about aging were activated. Stigma and fear over how one is being perceived really do make a difference…
Blocking and Unlocking Memory
Posted in cultural phenom, history of memory, public education, science of memory, tagged memory research, NYT's article on memory on April 6, 2009 | Comments Off
Today’s NYT’s article on the memory research at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn is the stuff of sci-fi-esque movies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Looks like they can block some unpleasant memories in mice – like the memory of a particularly disgusting taste (wonder how they simulated that…) – some three months [...]
Are social, challenging activities enough?
Posted in art, disability, public education, science of memory on February 18, 2009 | 3 Comments »
There is a swirl of research out there now…and it’s confusing. On the one hand, there is a growing body of research that suggests that social, creative activities help stave off memory loss. This article for example, suggests that activities like quilting, pottery and computer games reduce the effects of memory loss. Logic would have [...]
Brain Training a Bust?
Posted in cultural phenom, medicine, science of memory, tagged cognitive exercise, cognitive fitness on February 11, 2009 | 5 Comments »
There’s been lots of hype about cognitive fitness, with a slew of computer games and programs comign out to help older people train their brains. They hint that cognitive fitness can delay or prevent the onset of dementia. But this article suggests that the computer programs don’t have any more effect than doing a crossword [...]
The problem with pills
Posted in cultural phenom, history of memory, medicine, public education, science of memory, tagged alzheimer's, antipsychotics, dementia, improving care, NYT's science section on June 24, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I would love to read a good history of pharmaceuticals in this country. Just when did we become convinced that it is cheaper to medicate than to provide actual care or change behaviors? How is it that we arrive at the numbers that tell us this is so? And why do we believe them? There’s [...]
It’s not memory loss, it’s…wisdom
Posted in cultural phenom, history of memory, public education, science of memory, tagged aging, memory loss, wisdom on May 21, 2008 | 1 Comment »
The NYT’s Science Section featured an interesting article today about how memory loss associated with aging might actually be recast as a widening of the attention/focus to better synthesize information rather than focus on details. This, the article tells us, is another way to define wisdom. Might this also be true of other “losses” associated [...]
New book on memory by Sue Halpern
Posted in books, cultural phenom, history of memory, science of memory, tagged books on memory, memory loss, sue halpern, what's normal? on May 19, 2008 | Comments Off
As the population ages, the marker of “normal” in memory loss will continue to shift. There are several books out now that address the worry over memory loss in all its manifestations – from seemingly benign to the significant losses in the dementia experience. The latest entry is coming out this month from Harmony Books, [...]
