Stunning brain research - revelations from neuroscientist Eric Kandel

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. RT guest Larry King Now, Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel, has been researching this topic for over 60 years.

In an interview with the show's host Larry King, he told what happens to memory in old age and what progress doctors have made in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the scientist outlined his views on modern science and the role of genes in the functioning of the brain, and also shared how he feels after he was nominated for the most prestigious scientific award in the world.

“Welcome to The Larry King Show. Today our guest is the pioneer of modern neuroscience - Professor Eric Kandel, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for the study of memory mechanisms. His new book, Head Clutter: What An Unusual Brain Can Tell Us About Ourselves, was recently published. Mr. Kandel, what kind of brain is unusual?

- Such, which, for example, you have. (Brain - RT) people who do something great, or those who have unusual problems. In medicine, we learn a lot thanks to the mechanism of the functioning of organs. For example, I study the work of the brain in order to understand what information it can give us.

- Why did you write this book?

“To show that, as is the case with other organs, brain dysfunctions can tell us a lot. Also, I wanted more people to become interested in this topic. Many people believe that the brain is so complex that it is impossible to understand how it functions. In pedagogy, and in life in general, I adhere to the following approach: everything can be explained if you devote time to it. And I am pleased to devote it to this issue. The result of my research is a new book.

- What conclusion will people make after reading your book?

- That science is available to everyone. This is the philosophy I adhere to when I write for a wide range of readers. As for the support of science, it is the public that is of key importance. People have the right to know what exactly they support and what is happening in the scientific environment and the world around them.

- Is there, so to speak, a normal brain?

- Normality can be interpreted in different ways: it is the absence of any mental abnormalities, and the ability to think clearly or, for example, cross the street yourself. Things like this point to a well-functioning brain.

However, at the same time, many may have frustrations: someone is afraid to cross the road, someone has difficulty completing simple tasks, and someone is euphoric when faced with difficulties, even small ones. There are a lot of brain disorders.

- Is there a difference between the brain and the mind?

- The mind is a set of functions carried out by the brain. All that we are …

- The brain sends signals, and the mind executes them?

- The mind is a function of the brain that has received such a name. This is movement (gesturing with his hand), and this is thinking.

- How does one affect the other?

- There are reflex movements that you don't really think about. But when playing tennis, I have to decide, for example, where to direct the ball with a good backhand. Even in routine activities, many thought processes are involved. Here I take a mug. It is easy to lift it, but when you put it back, you need to make sure that you are placing it on the table. This is where the thought process starts.

- You received the Nobel Prize for discoveries in the field of neuroscience. Do you think about your brain?

- Thinking about the brain of other people is much more interesting for me. I don't pay much attention to mine. But I do certain things that, in my opinion, will help him. For example, I'm getting old, and people my age should worry about age-related memory loss. Yes, there is Alzheimer's, but the most common disorder is age-related memory loss. As people age, their memory deteriorates. Although I have reason to believe that we can solve this problem.

- How?

- By walking.

Our bones are the same endocrine gland. They produce the hormone osteocalcin. In the course of experiments on animals, I found that this hormone helps to overcome age-related memory loss, so now I practice walking for short distances.

- Why is it easier for me to remember the events of 40 years ago than what happened last week?

- Your brain, when these memories were deposited in it, was more flexible, sensitive and perceived new information with great enthusiasm, because it was all new for you. Now, much of what you come across is no longer a wonder and does not arouse the same interest. In general, it is about motivation and the greater ability of the young brain to retain information.

- And heredity? Can you say that I, for example, inherited my father's brain?

- Not. Genes are inherited that play a role in the formation of the brain. But he will be yours, not your father or mother. Although their genes are in it, and there are genes that none of your parents had. Thus, it is a combination of your parents' genes, their heritage, and your own genes. Unlike all other human organs, the experience affects the brain the most.

- Can I get over it? You mean your genetics?

- Here we should not talk about overcoming, but about compensation. For example, you may have difficulty acquiring certain knowledge, but if you work hard and look for new approaches, you will be able to compensate for your lack. It is very important.

Many extremely successful people (possibly including you) are not able to process the entire body of knowledge that is available to them and, ideally, should be mastered, but at the same time they somehow compensate for the existing gaps.

- What has been the biggest breakthrough since you started dealing with memory problems?

- There are plenty of breakthroughs here. When I started my work, there was very little knowledge in this area. Now we know some of the brain regions that are responsible for different forms of memory. We realized that memory is not unitary - there are several types of it. Something is stored in the hippocampus, something is stored in the prefrontal cortex, and emotional memory is generally encoded in the amygdala. Thus, memory is distributed throughout the brain, but mostly in the hippocampus.

Why is Alzheimer's disease such a problem?

“Because it occurs in older people, when the brain is extremely susceptible to damage. This is the first thing. Secondly, at the moment we cannot cure this disease.

- Is there any progress in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease?

- Not. But significant progress is being made on how to prevent age-related memory loss. And this affects an even larger percentage of people than the disease itself. I think we will make progress here as well.

- Is there a limit to the capabilities of the brain?

- Of course.

There is a limit to the possibilities of any organ, any machine. But have you and I achieved it? Or most people? I think no.

- In 2000, you won the Nobel Prize for your research in neuroscience. What was it like?

- It was the morning of Yom Kippur - the main holiday in Judaism. The phone was on the side of my wife Denise's bed. At five or six o'clock the bell rang. I was asked not to tell anyone about this for several hours until the press release came out. That's how I found out that I became a Nobel laureate along with two other people.

- What was the feeling?

- Awesome. It's incredible. I was in seventh heaven for several days.