How to Get Your Brain to Remember

According to news@nature.com, researchers have discovered that we successfully store memories when our brains are primed for the information. The priming process occurs in the brain's frontal region, where conscious thinking occurs.

The discovery hammers home some old advice for students: that they should really think about things rather than trying to learn by rote. "Always try to focus on understanding what is written; don't just regurgitate," says [lead researcher] Otten, because concentrating on meaning is a far better primer for memory.

But setting up your mind for better memory will inevitably be a subtle process, Otten admits, and it's not clear how best to prepare the brain for improved recall. Simple advice might be most effective, however: when reading, try to concentrate rather than letting your mind wander.