Audiobook8 hours
101 Theory Drive: A Neuroscientist's Quest for Memory
Written by Terry McDermott
Narrated by Stephen Hoye
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
()
About this audiobook
It's not fiction: Gary Lynch is the real thing, the epitome of the rebel scientist-malnourished, contentious, inspiring, explosive, remarkably ambitious, consistently brilliant. He is one of the foremost figures of contemporary neuroscience, and his decades-long quest to understand the inner workings of the brain's memory machine has begun to pay off.
Award-winning journalist Terry McDermott spent nearly two years observing Lynch at work and now gives us a fascinating and dramatic account of daily life in Lynch's lab-the highs and lows, the drudgery and eureka moments, the agonizing failures. He provides detailed, lucid explanations of the cutting-edge science that enabled Lynch to reveal the inner workings of the molecular machine that manufactures memory. And he explains where Lynch's sights are now set: on drugs that could fix that machine when it breaks, drugs that would enhance brain function during the memory process and that hold out the possibility of cures for a wide range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Here is an essential story of science, scientists, and scientific achievement-galvanizing in the telling and thrilling in its far-reaching implications.
Award-winning journalist Terry McDermott spent nearly two years observing Lynch at work and now gives us a fascinating and dramatic account of daily life in Lynch's lab-the highs and lows, the drudgery and eureka moments, the agonizing failures. He provides detailed, lucid explanations of the cutting-edge science that enabled Lynch to reveal the inner workings of the molecular machine that manufactures memory. And he explains where Lynch's sights are now set: on drugs that could fix that machine when it breaks, drugs that would enhance brain function during the memory process and that hold out the possibility of cures for a wide range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Here is an essential story of science, scientists, and scientific achievement-galvanizing in the telling and thrilling in its far-reaching implications.
Author
Terry McDermott
Terry McDermott holds a BA from Santa Clara University; a JD from the University of California (Davis) School of Law; and an LL.M from the University of California (Berkeley), School of Law. He is a retired lecturer in law, emeritus, Sacramento State University, and the author of Trail of Tears (2017) and a contributing author to Otto & The White Dove (2023).
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Reviews for 101 Theory Drive
Rating: 3.4473684210526314 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
19 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5101 Theory Drive is the story of Dr. Gary S. Lynch's work in his quest for understanding the mechanism of memory in the brain. In his quest, he uncovers mechanisms for remembering, and for not remembering, and uncovers a mechanism leading to a theory for consciousness. The title refers to the address of his lab, in a business park across from the University of California at Irvine. The book does a good job of describing the history of the work, the people involved, and building a character for Dr. Lynch. There is a lot of technical detail presented and the mechanisms uncovered are understandable if you can follow the physiology. There are only three (or four?) diagrams charting elements of neurons and their parts and a glossary of terms. The most difficult part of the book is understanding the details so as to understand the research. I tired of referring back to the images, and suspect the details won't be retained long. Much of the story feels like a science book, there isn't a lot to keep the reader excited or involved. But for its 260+ pages, it was a relatively fast read. The book does have good information, but it would help to know something about neuron details before starting. I suspect there is a better book out there somewhere.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The author has basically written a history of the efforts of Gary Lynch. He appears to be a free spirited and free thinking neuroscientist. The author also provides a sufficient scientific information for the reader to understand the efforts that have been conducted. The personalities and struggles of the scientists are described, which makes the story understandable and relateable. The problem with the book is that I frankly don't care about much of the information provided. It would have been sufficient from my standpoint to have read a book on the science of memory. It appears that LTP is Gary Lynch's big discovery and that he has helped move neuroscience forward. Unfortunately, the guy has sufficient personality flaws that render him unlikeable (note this is the same reason that Scripps in Florida did not continue to pursue him as a employee. Gary is evidently now aged and in poor health. He is to be lauded for his accomplishments in spite of his flawed personality.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Have you ever wondered what neuroscience in action looks like? If you want to watch it happen before your eyes check out McDermott's documentary-like description. You may doubt your interest in neurophysiology but, you will come away from reading this book with a better understanding of memory and a sense of the excitement found on this new frontier. For those who have read it, this book rivals the thrill of Tracy Kidder's Soul of a New Machine.