Brains Are Different in People With Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory

[xchrom]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120730170341.htm

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UC Irvine scientists have discovered intriguing differences in the brains and mental processes of an extraordinary group of people who can effortlessly recall every moment of their lives since about age 10. (Credit: © James Steidl / Fotolia)

ScienceDaily (July 30, 2012) — UC Irvine scientists have discovered intriguing differences in the brains and mental processes of an extraordinary group of people who can effortlessly recall every moment of their lives since about age 10.

he phenomenon of highly superior autobiographical memory -- first documented in 2006 by UCI neurobiologist James McGaugh and colleagues in a woman identified as "AJ" -- has been profiled on CBS's "60 Minutes" and in hundreds of other media outlets. But a new paper in the peer-reviewed journal Neurobiology of Learning & Memory's July issue offers the first scientific findings about nearly a dozen people with this uncanny ability.

All had variations in nine structures of their brains compared to those of control subjects, including more robust white matter linking the middle and front parts. Most of the differences were in areas known to be linked to autobiographical memory, "so we're getting a descriptive, coherent story of what's going on," said lead author Aurora LePort, a doctoral candidate at UCI's Center for the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory.

Surprisingly, the people with stellar autobiographical memory did not score higher on routine laboratory memory tests or when asked to use rote memory aids. Yet when it came to public or private events that occurred after age 10½, "they were remarkably better at recalling the details of their lives," said McGaugh, senior author on the new work.

[goclark]

1. fascinating! n /t

[Betty Jo]

2. Control group ?

How was the whole thing tested?

[kickysnana]

3. I actually rerun the scene, sights, sounds, smells emotions, and even the temperature, humidity etc

I always thought it was unfair to state a memory that you did not also analyze with what was going on around it at the time. "Jane was furious (but only because she could not deal yet with the sudden grief and shock)."

Most people evidently remember some of it but most often make it come out better for themselves this time which may be a good thing to prevent depression but does nothing to resolve disputes. The system works for them because they have said the magic "sorry" and have been forgiven and have slightly rewritten the scene. So my memory conflicts with theirs so I am a problem for them. (I see the look of shock when I can repeat word for word and what people were wearing, what deodorant they had on)

Those of us with total ecall things are not ever totally over and find it hard to just forgive ourselves for some things because the whole truth of it is right there all the time.

People may be born, forgiving, forgetting nurtures, keepers of the memories. etc. Maybe we will have enough insight one day to use these gifts for each other and a better day.