Have you ever misplaced something you were just holding? Completely blanked on a famous actor's name? Walked into a room and immediately forgot why? Neuroscientist Lisa Genova digs into two types of memory failures we regularly experience -- and reassures us that forgetting is totally normal. Stay tuned for a conversation with TED science curator David Biello, where Genova describes the difference between common moments of forgetting and possible signs of Alzheimer's, debunks a widespread myth about brain capacity and shares what you can do to keep your brain healthy and your memory sharp. (This virtual conversation was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.)

Lisa Genova: How your memory works -- and why forgetting is totally OK

How your memory works -- and why forgetting is totally OK

Blocking on a word or name? It's a common glitch in memory retrieval, not a sign of weakening memory or cognitive decline.

Forgetting everyday details like phone locations underscores not memory failure but its selective nature, rooted in attention.

Tip of the tongue moments, like forgetting a name, are normal memory glitches due to weak neuron activation, not cognitive decline.

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