From The Brain Book
Our memories are distributed throughout the brain, so even if one part of an experience is lost, many others will remain.
One benefit of such a distributed storage system is that it makes long-term memories more or less indestructible. If they were held in a single area, damage to that place – for example, from a stroke or head injury – would eradicate the memory completely.
As it is, brain trauma and degeneration may nibble away at memories, but rarely destroy them entirely – you may lose a person’s name, but not the memory of their face.
Memories are formed by a group of neurons firing together. If the same neurons fire together often, they eventually become permanently sensitized to each other, so that if fires, the others do as well.
When you recall an experience, you recreate it in essence by reactivating the neural patterns that were generated during the original experience that was encoded to memory.
Y’know, this all seems familiar; I just can’t put my finger on it. Shades of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”!
Whaddaya think? Do YOU want to volunteer for selective undoing of certain neuron firing patterns, based on electronic detection and then eradication of patterns stimulated by references to your past? Or just drink til you’re there?
I just had a scan done!! The neurologist says my activity is almost identical to the Narcisse snake pit; with no discernable beginnings or ends.
Love ya Mom,
John
I had a brain scan once; fortunately, it came back negative.
And just remember–memory is the second thing to go.
I was going to say something but……
My mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s when she passed away last spring. It was a difficult time to see her memory slowly fade away, starting with recent occurences and moving backwards to her youth. By the time of her death, she was not very sure who I was, even after 64 years. Her memory had disappeared back to about the late ’30’s. If you asked about her early years, she could talk all about her Grandmother and her schoolmates and a horse that she had when she was 10, but nothing about her marriage, her family or her likes and dislikes. What a terrible way to go out.
What is really bad is the number of sufferers seems to be growing at a very fast rate. I sure hope that somebody finds a way to fight it soon. I’m sure not getting any younger!
Richard,
I can relate to what you’re saying. My mother-in-law is going through it now. It’s scary and sad.
Hey, y’all,
Where’d ya get the pink ribbon avatars? Bella, I read a post that makes me think you have vile C. I’m an 8 1/2 year survivor of esophageal Stage 3. Had a transhiatal esophagectomy in April,2001 after aggressive rad & chemo, so eating is difficult, but I manage. IF you are “down”, you’re one I’ve noticed here that is UP AND TOUGH. I bet you’ll be fine. Best to you! Great avatar.
JohnC.
Use google images for pink ribbon, and you will find a plethora of choices. that’s where I found mine.
I found mine at:
Chuck Norris wishes he could kick ass like Bella.
I could use a dose of Alzheimer’s right now.
Thank You John C., DJ and actually everyone. I’ve noticed all the different styles of pink ribbons and I really am humbled by your tribute. I love Paul in Boca’s, my #1 chick (wink), Revy’s, Scott’s and really just everyone AND Jonco’s Bits and Tits. Now, I don’t have anymore tits so I was wondering if I can still belong to the club??? My heart goes out to everyone that comments that is fighting a battle of their own. I am glad that you are still managing John C. after such radical treatment. You sound like you’ve been a pretty tough cookie yourself. Keep going. Life is worth it!! You really warm my heart and for that I Thank You. Jonco, you have a great bunch of folks that come to visit your site, because you are a good man. Bless every one of your hearts. XOXO
Bella,
I REALLY believe personal spirit and attitude is key; always, but even more so now. Your posts here, and I’m sure your everyday life, is so full of caring and being cared for, that just that fervor will see you through. In tough times, everything good in life intensifies. The memories that this thread illuminates scientifically serve as a reinforcement to create new ones. I’ve been able to see my son go from 5th grade to college soph; boy to man; and Mom and him and I have made good use of our good fortune.
Thanks for being “here” and to Jonco and everyone for the pleasure.
Bella, these days you’re my hero.
Hope each day is getting better, Bella.
Just so you understand, the only reason my pink ribbon appears small is that I was going for a look that replaces my small red X in the corner with something similar. It’s not to suggest lack of support or anything like that.
Scott, I got the meaning of that right away and I do understand. All is well.
DJ, you’re so damn cute that I just want to pinch your sweet cheeks (on your face). LOL
I cleared my cache, but no new avatar…..yet
DAYUM! 🙂
Yeah!! I just wore out the mouse clicking “confirm” and they finally took me seriously!