Memento the MovieHow it relates to Neurobiology

The trailer

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vS0E9bBSL0

The plot

Memento is a movie about a guy “Leonard” who has amnesia - he can not make new memories. He lives by little notes and tattoos he leaves for himself. I won’t spoil the movie - it’s a great movie so check it out if you haven’t seen it!

What does it have to do with nervous

system?Apparently, Leonard is having problem with his memory system. He has a fine working memory but has problems consolidating working memory into long term memory for storage in the neocortex.

How does memory work?

There are three types of memory: working memory, declarative (explicit) memory and implicit memory.Working memory lasts max 30 second and is about “here and now”.Explicit memory includes facts and events.Implicit memory includes skills and habits.

How do we make memories?

In the HM case we learned that hippocampus is critical for memory formation - consolidating working memory to explicit memory.

So what went wrong?It is very likely that Leonard’s hippocampus was damaged when he hit his head.

Is the movie realistic?

According to Wikipedia, “many medical experts have cited Memento as one of the most realistic and accurate depictions of anterograde amnesia in any movie picture”.Certainly better than “Spellbound” mentioned in the lecture!

How does this relate to the course?

This course allows me to look at the movie from a new angle and rethink some of the stories in the movie.Before attending the course, the case of Leonard is nothing more than a hypothetical or “imaginary” case. Now I not only know that this condition truly exists but also how it occurs. It also makes me more sympathetic with the patient.

How does this relate to the course?

It also makes me wonder: what kind of person will I become if I suffer from memory loss? As working memory can only last no longer than 30 seconds, so the patient is constantly living in the “30 second window) - every 30 seconds he needs to figure out what he is doing. What an impossible life!