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Quiz: What Do you Know About Memory?

Test your smarts about normal forgetfulness and early signs of dementia


a bunch of yellow post it notes with don't forget written on them
Getty Images

Question 1 of 9

What is considered the “flash drive” of the human brain? 

The hippocampus is the brain area that’s crucial for memory storage and retrieval. 

Question 2 of 9

True or false: A good night’s sleep plays a key role in making memories stick.

Sleep is the time when memories are saved and cemented into long-term storage for later retrieval. 

Question 3 of 9

Name a memory technique used by contestants in the World Memory Championships 

With the memory palace technique, a person envisions placing a set of items they want to remember into the rooms of a building. When they mentally navigate through the space, they’ll see the items and remember them. 

Question 4 of 9

If you’re learning new information and want to remember it, it helps to:

Stressing out will make you more likely to forget, but staying calm, focusing on the task at hand and spending time going over the new information will help lock it in. 

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Question 5 of 9

Which of these memory lapses is generally not a cause for concern?

We all experience memory slips, regardless of our age. But when the familiar becomes alien or we lose information repeatedly, that’s worth a visit to the doctor.

Question 6 of 9

What medications may cause long-term memory loss?

In some cases, doctors can prescribe alternative drugs if memory loss or brain fog occurs.

Question 7 of 9

Which of these is not a normal memory lapse?

What’s concerning, says Heather Whitson, M.D. of the Duke University School of Medicine, is if you find what you’re looking for but have no recollection of putting it there in the first place.

Question 8 of 9

Which is a risk factor for dementia?

Researchers have tied 14 lifestyle factors to dementia risk. Several are also heart disease risks and there’s plenty you can do about them.

Question 9 of 9

Why is hearing loss a risk factor for cognitive decline?

The brain needs stimulation and people often pull away socially when hearing becomes a problem in group settings. Social isolation is an important risk factor for dementia.

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