Dr. Billie Enz, an emeritus professor at Arizona State University, presented a very informative seminar on understanding the brain and how to maintain brain memory.  During the presentation Dr. Enz touched on brain basics, understanding memory systems, the normal aging brain vs dementia and maintaining brain health.

Dr. Enz started her presentation by reviewing brain basics. She covered the makeup and function of the hemispheres of the brain, the lobes and the limbic system.  She also discussed brain development. 

The next portion of her presentation consisted of a discussion on the memory systems.  She presented detailed information on how short term, or our working memory, and long term memory which is where we store what we have learned or experienced for later recall.  She also talked about sensory memory, the type of memory where something is so profound you have a reaction that remains in your long term memory and can be triggered by something that will associate with the original event.

Dr. Enz then went on to talk about normal brain aging versus dementia.  She reminded us that not all memory loss signifies the onset of dementia, but  it’s always a good idea to discuss these things with our health care providers.

Finally, Dr. Enz provided some suggestions to help us maintain our brain health, such as diet, physical activity, sleep, etc.

A copy of the slide deck used in this presentation can be found by clicking on the link below.  Also, a memory self test was provided prior to the seminar and can be obtained by clicking on the link below.

Seminar slide deck

Memory Self Test

NOTE:  The first 10 minutes of the presentation are missing from the video.  The missing information contains the introduction of Dr. Enz and the review of the first slide in the slide deck which is an outline of what was to be covered in the seminar.