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Can't Remember What I Forgot: The Good News From the Front Lines of Memory Search.
By Sue Halpern. 256 pages. $24.00. Harmony Books.

We have all walked into a room and forgot why; we lose our car keys in the house. So we make a joke about having one of those "senior moments", but we wonder silently, is this signs of Alzheimer’s.

Halpern’s father had dementia so she wanted to know what scientists really know, and how close they are to a therapy or drugs that might work - either for memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s or "normal" forgetfulness in short term recall that comes as we age. You will read in the book how Halpern spent five years in research on the topic and volunteered for a numerous tests that can help diagnose dementia, including a variety of brain scans.

In the book, Halpern gives us encouragement that it is possible to do something that wards off normal, age-related memory loss.  The answer she found is actually quite simple – we need to exercise.  Halpern reports in her book that a brisk walk around the block or a half hour on the tread mill a few times per week can make a real difference.  Halpern talks about how exercise promotes the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus (a section in the brain that forms new memories).  She also explains that exercise counters age-related shrinking of the prefrontal cortex, an area involved in concentration and working memory.

The issue in memory research, as the author explains, is that science has not fully proved that anything really works yet:  like fish oil, vitamin E, or herbal supplements, crossword puzzles and computer games.  So as much as we might be too busy to exercise – exercise is an easy inexpensive method to stave off short term memory lapses and build up what we might have lost in aging.

"Can't Remember What I Forgot" is easy and enjoyable reading even though the author spends most of her time in scientific settings with clinical researchers she keep us engaged.  The book sheds light on promising new theories being tested, what is the nature of ongoing research and current high tech solutions in computer exercises and games.   I enjoyed the book; it is a quick read with interesting stories of her adventure in science.  I recommend it as a good book for your summer reading.