Incredible Memory: A Blessing or a Curse?
By Lauren Eckert
Imagine being able to remember almost every experience that has happened to you with shocking clarity. Now, take a moment to reflect on some events that happened 10 years ago. Do the memories seem blurry, or even nonexistent? This task is not a problem for Joey DeGrandis who possesses this amazing memory ability. When reminded of an event that occurred years ago DeGrandis demonstrated the ability to remember the exact date something happened. Individuals with this superior autobiographical memory are called “Hyperthymics” and can remember memories with minimal difficulty and without the use of any mnemonic skills. Some might view this ability as an extraordinary gift or something you would experience as highly irritating. So how exactly are these individuals able to recall events from years past, and are we able to learn how to become “recall experts?”
Based on MRI scans, we know that brain regions are shaped differently in Hyperthymics than in someone who does not have this ability to recall autobiographical memories. One region in particular, the posterior insula plays a role in recognition as well as memories of painful events. Research demonstrates that with the help of an fMRI, we are able to observe increased activation in areas such as the medial prefrontal cortex (the brain region nearest the forehead that is involved in attention and planning) and the hippocampus (a brain region responsible for making new and recalling old memories) within Hyperthymics when they were asked to recall autobiographical memories. Autobiographical retrieval seems to be a lot easier for Hyperthymics than individuals with a “normal” memory. Autobiographical memory is not a simple system. It involves things such as episodic and semantic processing, emotions, and mental imagery. Episodic and semantic memory are the ways that we break down long-term memories. Semantic memory involves more factual information whereas episodic memory is focused one’s life experiences.
In addition, it has been discovered that Hyperthymics exhibit more obsessive-compulsive behaviors such as having increased amounts of reoccurring thoughts or images. This ability to recall autobiographical memory and exhibiting obsessive-compulsive behaviors may be related. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors involve ruminating on past experiences and this tendency to ruminate can help retention within long-term memory. In another study, nine Hyperthymics explained that the way they organize their memories is by the use of chronological order or categories. They also stated that they recall their memories in a seemingly compulsive manner. We know that there are structural differences in the brains of Hyperthymics that are similar to people with diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. While recalling personal memories with vivid detail may be deeply compelling, not being able to stop yourself from doing so and having unlimited access to personal memories (some negative) has proven debilitating for some Hyperthymics.
In conclusion, scientists have not been able to figure out the exact reason why individuals would have this gift of remembering nearly all autobiographical events from throughout their lifetime. Some theories include having been born with differing brain structures or a link between obsessive-compulsive behaviors such as reoccurring thoughts with better autobiographical memory. It appears that although scientists like LePort and colleagues have completed robust research related to understand Hyperthymics, that we are still mystified as to how someone is able to recall different memories from their lives with little to no difficulty.
References
LePort, A., Mattfeld, A., Dickinson-Anson, H., Fallon, J., Stark, C., Kruggel, F., Cahill, L., & McGaugh, J. (2012). Behavioral and neuroanatomical investigation of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM). Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 98(1), 78–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2012.05.002
LePort, A. K. R., Stark, S. M., McGaugh, J. L., & Stark, C. E. L. (2016, January 21). Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory: Quality and Quantity of Retention Over Time. Frontiers in psychology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4720782/.
MacMillan, A. (2017, December 8). What It's Like to Have Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM). Time. https://time.com/5045521/highly-superior-autobiographical-memory-hsam/.
Santangelo, V., Cavallina, C., Colucci, P., Santori, A., Macrì, S., McGaugh, J., & Campolongo, P. (2018, July 24). Enhanced brain activity associated with memory access in highly superior autobiographical memory. Retrieved April 04, 2021, from https://www.pnas.org/content/115/30/7795