The remarkable true story of a team of doctors who – through years of scientific sleuthing and observant care—discover a surprising connection between opioids and memory, one that holds promise and peril for any one of us.
How could you lose your memory overnight, and what would it mean? The day neurologist Jed Barash sees the baffling brain scan of a young patient with devastating amnesia marks the beginning of a quest to answer those questions. First detected in a cluster of stigmatized opioid overdose victims in Massachusetts with severe damage to the hippocampus—the brain’s memory center—this rare syndrome reveals how the tragic plight of the unfortunate few can open the door to advances in medical science.
After overcoming initial skepticism that investigating the syndrome is worth the effort—and that fentanyl is the likely culprit—Barash and a growing team of dedicated doctors explore the threat that people who take opioids chronically as prescribed to treat severe pain may gradually put their memories at risk. At the same time, they begin to grasp the potential for this syndrome to shed light on the most elusive memory thief of all—Alzheimer’s disease.
Through the prism of this fascinating story, Aguirre goes on to examine how researchers tease out the fundamental nature of memory and the many mysteries still to be solved. Where do memories live? Why do we forget most of what happens in a day but remember some events with stunning clarity years later? How real are our memories? And what purpose do they actually serve?
Perhaps the greatest mystery in The Memory Thief is why Alzheimer’s has evaded capture for a century even though it afflicts tens of millions around the world and lies in wait for millions more. Aguirre deftly explores this question and reveals promising new strategies and developments that may finally break the long stalemate in the fight against this dreaded disease.
But at its core, Aguirre’s genre-bending and deeply-reported book is about paying attention to the things that initially don’t make sense—like the amnestic syndrome—and how these mysteries can move science closer to an ever-evolving version of the truth.
My Thoughts:
Lauren Aguirre weaves the story of how a group of doctors look into a connection between opioid use and abuse and memory loss. We follow along with each and every doctor who saw something wasn't right and started to make connections and reach out. We also follow along with Owen, a man who'd life has been completely upended because of his amnesia.
It's also a crash course into how how brain makes memories and what happens when our brains don't do that anymore...the tale takes us to degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia and the possible genetic predispositions they may be there. And why are some brains more susceptible to hippocampus damage on opioids and not others?
To me it's also a story on the ingenuity of science, our brains, and scientists and doctors who keep it all going.
I really enjoyed following along with each doctor as they came to new insights and shared it with others. The science behind what they're doing and where it still needs to go. Also, Owen. Man. I cannot even imagine what he has to deal with every minute of every day. We get to see what he does to function without a brain able to hold onto memories!
Aguirre, even provides a few tips from the doctors to keep our brains healthy...sleep, consistent exercise, and eternal optimism and gratitude for the little things. I mean, we know this but it's backed by science! Science is good. Science is wise. Follow science.
This sounds like a fascinating book. Many people in my husband's family have struggled with Alzheimer's. I will look for it.
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy this one. Highly readable.
DeleteSounds interesting, thanks for sharing your thoughts
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fascinating. Alzheimers and Dementia is in my family and I need to learn more about it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great intro into memory and how it can fail and what we know so far.
DeleteI love that little paragraph. Sometimes it's the little things, and lifestyle choices, and yes... follow the science. Sounds like a fascinating read.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear your thoughts on it one day! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI really hope they can cure or treat Alzheimer's soon. They've got to make a breakthrough! My mom has it and it is hard to watch. Sleep seems important for all of us.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your mom. I sure hope more breakthroughs can happen with Alzheimer's and other like diseases.
DeleteEternal optimism is sometimes in short supply so it's nice to be reminded :)
ReplyDeleteYes it is!
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