FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


For Release: March 10, 2005

Dr. Sanjay Gupta Unlocks Secrets of Memory
in Upcoming CNN Special

CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the mystery of memory and recent discoveries aimed at improving it in an upcoming Dr. Sanjay Gupta Primetime Special. “Memory,” a one-hour program premiering Sunday, March 27, at 10 p.m. (ET), will reveal surprising secrets about memory, from its seemingly contradictory abilities to be both unreliable and resilient to its intricate interactions with various systems of the body.

Throughout the special, viewers will learn the best ways to retain information. Gupta himself will become a test subject for prominent memory researchers, as he investigates technological breakthroughs in brain imaging.

“This special exposes the myriad ways in which memory affects every aspect of our lives,” said Gupta. “We’ll examine memory-strengthening tactics used by schoolchildren, the use of eyewitness testimony in police investigations and court cases, the psychological problems among troops returning from military service and innovative efforts to improve retention through medical and non-medical methods.”

Following the magazine format of previous Gupta specials, “Memory” will feature such segments as:

  • “What is Memory?”: The memory function of the human brain contains an amazing ability to sort through information swamping people’s senses every day. This segment features an overview of preserving memory and enhancing it.
  • “Eyewitness”: Memory is closely tied to emotions of strong feelings or stress. Gupta visits with famed criminal sketch artist Jeanne Boylan and with Dr. Andy Morgan of Yale University, who has done pioneering research with the U.S. Special Forces to illustrate common memory distortions under extremely stressful conditions.
  • “Brain Teaser”: Memory champion Scott Hagwood shares his secret for remembering large amounts of information, including the order of an entire deck of cards.
  • “Overload”: This segment examines new treatments to help sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder and more moderate stress ailments. Gupta introduces Esteban Lora, a 22-year-old Army National Guard reservist diagnosed with the disorder after a tour in Iraq, and Dr. J. Douglas Bremmer, author of Does Stress Damage the Brain?
  • “Boot Camp”: Two Americans living typically hectic lives participate in Dr. Gary Small’s “memory boot camp” to improve their daily memory. Small’s program includes stress relief, mental and physical exercises and diet changes. Afterward, Gupta looks at their progress in order to examine the science behind Small’s claims.
  • "The Future": Gupta discusses the most promising resources for improving memory in the future including lifestyle, drugs and machines. He’ll also look at the state of research, including a memory “prosthesis” and wonder drugs that may eradicate Alzheimer’s and other significant memory impairments. Additionally, Nobel Laureate Dr. Eric Kandel talks about his promising new memory research.

CNN, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is one of the world’s most respected and trusted sources for news and information. Its reach extends to 14 cable and satellite television networks; two private place-based networks; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; six Web sites, including CNN.com, the first major news and information Web site; and CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service.  

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CONTACT:

Christal Jones 404-878-0285 christal.jones@cnn.com

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