Neurobiologist explains why forgetting is essential to the brain

Forgetting helps the brain clear out information it no longer needs, neurobiologist Hannah Monyer told ORF Oberösterreich in an interview at a congress of religious-order hospitals in Linz. She also discussed ageing, dementia and ways to keep the mind active.

People often view forgetting negatively, but it is an important part of brain function, Monyer said. Being unable to forget can itself be a sign of illness, she said, adding that forgetting can help people process and move beyond distressing experiences.

Monyer, who heads the Clinical Neurobiology department at Heidelberg University Hospital, said people are born with different abilities, including differences in how easily they remember things. Memory can be trained to some extent, she said, recommending activities people enjoy, such as learning a language or memorising a poem.

The brain also ages like other organs. Monyer said brain tissue begins to decline from around the age of 50, and some forgetfulness is a normal part of life. Dementia is different, involving a substantial loss of mental abilities. There is still no cure, she said, but therapies can slow the progression of some forms of dementia, and support for people affected and their families has improved.

Researchers are studying people known as “Super-Agers”, who retain exceptionally strong memories into old age. Monyer said an estimated 15 to 20 per cent of people aged 60 to 90 fall into this group, but researchers do not yet know why. She also recommended exercise and maintaining social connections.

Monyer spoke at the congress at Linz’s Design Center, where experts discussed the future of healthcare under the theme “Courage to change”. The meeting also addressed savings and structural changes. Upper Austria Governor Thomas Stelzer pointed to investment in the region’s hospitals, while Fiscal Council head Christoph Badelt warned of rising healthcare costs.