Get to Know
Brenda Milner
Discover why we turned Brenda into a superhero
ABOUT BRENDA
Superhero Backstory
Brenda has the ability to remember all experiences and events. Her memory is protected against Memory Manipulation.
Brenda Milner
Occupation: Neuropsychologist
Born: 1918
Nationality: British-Canadian
Brenda Milner was born in Manchester, England and later worked as a research psychologist in Canada, where she conducted groundbreaking research on the neural basis of memory and cognition.
One of Brenda's most famous patients was Henry Molaison, who is known as "Patient H.M." Henry had undergone surgery to remove the hippocampus and amygdala from his brain. After the surgery, he lost the ability to form new memories. Brenda's study of Henry helped to identify the hippocampus as a critical part of the brain's memory system.
Milner's work has helped to shape our understanding of memory, learning, and other cognitive functions.
Born: 1918
Nationality: British-Canadian
Brenda Milner was born in Manchester, England and later worked as a research psychologist in Canada, where she conducted groundbreaking research on the neural basis of memory and cognition.
One of Brenda's most famous patients was Henry Molaison, who is known as "Patient H.M." Henry had undergone surgery to remove the hippocampus and amygdala from his brain. After the surgery, he lost the ability to form new memories. Brenda's study of Henry helped to identify the hippocampus as a critical part of the brain's memory system.
Milner's work has helped to shape our understanding of memory, learning, and other cognitive functions.
THE DRAWING EXPLAINED
This comic book cover is hiding a few hidden treasures...
The logo on the tower is a drawing of the Kavli Prize. Brenda was awarded the Kavli Prize in Neuroscience in 2014.
The statue of Henry Molaison is behind Brenda. He is known as Patient H.M, and the "Man who couldn't remember". Brenda studied the effects of damage to the medial temporal lobe on Henry's memory.
The flag fluttering from the tower features McGill's three martlets, the University's mascot. Brenda has been a professor at McGill since 2010.
The image on Brenda's belt is that of the Balzan Prize. The Balzan Prize is awarded to a person that has achieved distinction for outstanding work. Brenda was awarded the prize in 2009 for contributions to Cognitive Neurosciences.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Listen to Brenda talk about Henry M
Listen to Brenda talk about Henry M is this video from NFB. Brenda continues to shape the field of neuropsychology and our modern understanding of the brain.
Video credit: NFB
Video credit: NFB
Why does our brain store memory separately into long-term and short-term memories?
Video Credit: BBC Earth Lab
Video Credit: BBC Earth Lab
How does my memory work?
What is the Hippocampus?
For the slightly older viewers check out this great video by NeuroTransmissions on how the brain stores memories.
Video Credit: Mr. DeMaio
Video Credit: Mr. DeMaio
Neuroscience of memory
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Who was the
"Man who couldn't Remember"?
"Man who couldn't Remember"?
When an operation left Henry Molaison unable to form new memories, he could remember events that occurred before his surgery but he was unable to form new memories. If Henry met someone who then left the room, within minutes he had no recollection of the person or their meeting. He became the most important patient in the history of brain science. Brenda Milner began studying Henry but referred to him as H.M. to protect his privacy.
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Brenda Milner
I knew I was witnessing something important..
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