DSA Better Brain Nation Magazine Volume 1 Issue 1 - Magazine - Page 16
Difference Makers™
PEOPLE, PLACES &
PRECIPITATING EVENTS
Dr. Brenda Milner
This renowned Canadian researcher has
been called the mother of neuroplasticity.
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work not only contributed to our
understanding of memory processes
but also laid the foundation for the
concept of neuroplasticity.
Dr. Milner’s research challenged
traditional views that saw the brain
as a static organ with fixed functions.
Instead, she illuminated the brain’s
dynamic nature, with its remarkable
ability to adapt and reorganize
itself in response to experience
and injury. Her work with H.M. and
subsequent studies underscored
the brain’s capacity for rewiring and
Better Brain Nation Magazine • Volume 1 | Issue 1
Image courtesy of McGill University
D
r. Brenda Milner, a trailblazer in
the field of neuroscience, stands
as a pioneer whose contributions
have significantly shaped our
understanding of neuroplasticity.
Born in 1918, Dr. Milner embarked
on her journey in the world of
science, leaving an indelible mark
on the study of brain plasticity.
The distinguished Canadian
neuropsychologist’s work has
primarily focused on unraveling
the mysteries of the human brain,
particularly in the realm of memory
and cognitive function. Dr. Milner’s
groundbreaking investigations,
conducted primarily at the Montreal
Neurological Institute, have
made her a revered figure in the
neuroscience community.
One of Dr. Milner’s most pivotal
discoveries involved her study of
the famous patient known as H.M.,
who underwent brain surgery in the
1950s to alleviate severe epilepsy.
The removal of H.M.’s hippocampus
resulted in profound amnesia,
leading Dr. Milner to identify the
crucial role of this region in forming
new memories. This seminal
