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The Memory Thief
- And the Secrets Behind How We Remember; A Medical Mystery
- Narrated by: Lauren Aguirre
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
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The Memory Thief
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Summary
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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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What listeners say about The Memory Thief
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John B
- 12-01-23
Very interesting
I fancied something different to the usual fiction I listen to more often than not.
I found this really interesting and though provoking. Having insight into how neuroscience is progressed and the difference was truly interesting.
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- Amazon Customer
- 14-01-23
Excellent
Interesting story, very well told, with a personal twist. I think the best explanation I've heard of memory I have heard. Thoroughly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sigrin
- 25-02-23
Enlightening
This is quite medical but explained very well.
The research in memory loss from opioid use opioid amnestic syndrome is on that can not be pushed aside.
The opioid epidemic in the USA is simply awful but the far reaching effects of this on the memory loss and pre Alzheimer’s symptoms for many of these people is catastrophic.
Not only are the above misuses of opioids a problem, but many people on prescribed long term opioids are also affected.
Fascinating if you are interested in this area.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Allison Wright
- 11-08-22
Interesting
You need your memory to imagine the future. Amazing that this is proven scientifically. Good narration.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Mr G Dooley
- 22-10-22
An interesting book on the important role the hippocampus plays in memory
An interesting book on opioids, amnesia and the important role the hippocampus plays in memory
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- sultan g.
- 24-08-23
I like the way she tells A story
I like the way that story is told but if you are not from medical discipline or some medical academic or a research of some sort in the area, it is kind of hard to keep up why she is telling this and that. Plus that poor guy, Owen I guess, why is he trying to live a normal life? He can go to a Buddhistic temple and become a monk or just meditate everyday to live in the moment, he needs to accept that he is not matching with the norms of the neuro-typical world and live his unique life according to his own principals not trying to accomplish what neurotypicals accomplishing but do his own thing. Maybe thats why he overdosed at the first place, trying too hard, just try different things if you are different from rest of the world.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Michelle Rumney
- 19-07-22
Interesting unfolding of the story
A really interesting way of telling the story - one which could be just technical. I learnt a lot about memory and research. Thank you!
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- Cerim
- 07-06-21
fascinating read
I highly recommend this book. it is a fascinating insight into how our brains store memories and how fragile that process is. the book also explores alzheimer's. the information is conveyed in an easy to understand way and I loved the narration.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Connor Shaw
- 19-06-21
Outstanding
I have a traumatic brain injury with cognitive and memory problems. I am amazed to hear this adventure in over coming barriers to raise awareness and get research done.
I’ve listened to this without breaking up for long. The strategies for memory aid’s and, cognitive rehabilitation straight after initial treatment is essential. Delays just cause pain cause the most remembered memories raise due to distress and, fear. In my life experiences that should cause fear before TBI don’t compared to the feeling of getting lost in a conversation.
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- OldnCreaky
- 11-12-22
Fascinating Tale
I loved this book. The difficulties in applying research to the investigation and treatment of memory deficiency told in an entertaining and understandable story.
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