Physical explanation for superior autobiograhpical memory

[sbu]

In a different thread it was recently brought up that some people exhibit superior memory being able to recall every moment of their lives. The phenomena has also been profiled on "60 Minutes". Scans of these peoples brains now shows similar variations compared to control subjects indicating that there is a physical cause to the enhanced memory capacity:

...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.
....

Brains are different in people with highly superior autobiographical memory

[Open Mind]

Physical cause or physical correlation? Interactive dualism, idealism and panpsychism would also have correlations. They don't know where these memories are specifically stored ... 'Most of the differences were in areas known to be linked to autobiographical memory..' ... however different TV circuit boards may have additional features to normal TV sets but it still doesn't prove TV is generating all the content or it is stored there.

With the altenatives to materialism, the general claim is that the brain is filtering the mind, not that the brain does nothing (i.e. no correlations).... in any dualistic process, at the interaction, there is a correlation between factors involved.

The article also states '... 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. ..'


So the long term memory puzzle remains. I've always said on this forum that short term memory is likely to be a brain filtering function (it is so easily damaged, forgotten or lost) long term memory is far more elusive to pin point in brain and tends to recover better after brain damage ... (forget about claims of long term memory in sea slugs, etc. we don't know if these reports are even conscious memories to the slug or whether these are automated responses. The essential thing about human 'memory' is that we can consciously recall it, unlike machines which are likely to be aware of nothing)

I am predicting non-local long term memory exists. That information can be stored not just in space but also time. Since it is non-local in time too, it may survive the death of the brain.

Although we commonly hear physicists say ... one cannot use non-locality to signal information ... currently that is correct (although some have speculativetheories on how it may be violated) .... however this assumes our consciousness is local to the brain, if part of our consciousness is deeper, such limitation may not apply ...it could just mean we cannot control a deeper level of reality from the local material subsystem we inhabit.

Interesting research though

[Open Mind]

I just wish to emphasize a quote, again in article ...

'... 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. ..'

I think this is a fascinating discovery (if confirmed by others) ... will these people recall these same events better in the future ... than shortly afterwards in test? The article doesn't say ... if so, it is hardly what anyone would have predicted. We would assume the memories in such individuals are recalled well by short term memory. Do we have 2 memory systems?

[paqart]

Originally Posted by Open Mind

I just wish to emphasize a quote, again in article ...

'... 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. ..'

I think this is a fascinating discovery (if confirmed by others) ... will these people recall these same events better in the future ... than shortly afterwards in test? The article doesn't say ... if so, it is hardly what anyone would have predicted. We would assume the memories in such individuals are recalled well by short term memory. Do we have 2 memory systems?

As I suspect we both know, reincarnation, mediumship, veridical OBEs, and NDE experiences all argue strongly against all physical explanations for memory, though the physical (as opposed to psychic) expression of memory is filtered through physical organs. This can make it appear as if memory itself is physical in the same way it might look as if buildings create people at five o'clock every day when they come streaming out.

AP

[Interesting Ian]

Originally Posted by sbu

In a different thread it was recently brought up that some people exhibit superior memory being able to recall every moment of their lives. The phenomena has also been profiled on "60 Minutes". Scans of these peoples brains now shows similar variations compared to control subjects indicating that there is a physical cause to the enhanced memory capacity:



Brains are different in people with highly superior autobiographical memory

Obviously their brains would have to be different somehow. This will be the case whether brains produce memory or filter memory.