Life Is One Long Intelligence Test

Eric Kandel’s remarkable contributions have not only transformed neuroscience but have also inspired a generation to embrace the challenges of learning and discovery.

This is part of a series, of people, who have contributed significantly to their field. Whilst they are known within the field, rarely are they known outside the field or widely, yet should be. See below for others.

I keep a note on my desk; “memory is all we have”. This came to me strongly after reading Eric Kandel’s autobiography, In Search of Memory, many years ago. I had bought a copy of Kandel’s informative book, whilst visiting Sigmund Freud’s museum, in the building where Freud worked and lived at Berggasse 19 in Vienna. 

Freud, who began his career in 1887 as an anatomist, originally sought to solve the hidden riddles of mental life by studying the brain ‘one nerve cell at a time’. Studying single nerve cells, he had ‘anticipated’ a key point of what later came to be called the neuron doctrine, the view that nerve cells are the building blocks of the brain. It was only later, after he began treating mentally ill patients in Vienna, that Freud made his monumental discoveries about unconscious mental processes.

Few lives illuminate the deep capacity of the human mind as vividly as that of Eric Kandel. A Nobel laureate whose life story intertwines survival, curiosity, and groundbreaking discovery, Kandel exemplifies how life’s relentless challenges serve as an enduring test of intelligence in all its forms.

Born in Vienna in 1929, Eric Richard Kandel’s early childhood unfolded against the backdrop of a cultured city teetering on the edge of catastrophe. The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938 abruptly shattered his family’s sense of security. At just nine years old, Kandel witnessed the violent upheaval of Kristallnacht, an event that not only forced his family to flee but also seared into his memory the profound impacts of trauma and loss. As he writes in his memoir, this harrowing experience tested his resilience and adaptability at an age when most children are shielded from the world’s harsh realities.

Arriving in the United States, the Kandel family settled in Brooklyn, New York. The young Eric faced the formidable challenge of assimilating into a new culture while grappling with the remnants of his past. Undeterred, he immersed himself in learning English, often staying up late into the night poring over books and practicing pronunciation. His dedication bore fruit as he rapidly excelled academically, graduating from Erasmus Hall High School with honors. His remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in a foreign environment showcased not just intellectual aptitude but a profound inner strength.

Harvard

Initially drawn to the humanities, Kandel enrolled at Harvard University with aspirations of becoming a history scholar. He was particularly fascinated by the works of Sigmund Freud and the psychological motivations behind historical events like the rise of totalitarian regimes. The question of how individual minds could be swayed to participate in collective atrocities intrigued him deeply. This fascination with the interplay between individual psychology and historical movements ignited a deeper curiosity about the workings of the mind, prompting a pivotal shift from the study of history to the burgeoning field of neurobiology.

Embarking on this new path, Kandel faced yet another test of his intellectual courage. The field of neuroscience was still in its infancy, and many mysteries of the brain remained unsolved. Determined to unravel the mechanisms of memory, he chose an unconventional research subject: the sea slug Aplysia californica. At a time when most scientists focused on more complex organisms, Kandel’s choice was met with skepticism. Critics questioned how studying a simple mollusk could possibly yield insights into the human brain.

Undaunted, Kandel saw in Aplysia a unique opportunity to dissect the fundamental processes of learning and memory at a cellular level. The simplicity of its nervous system, with large, easily identifiable neurons, provided the perfect backdrop for his experiments. This bold decision exemplified his willingness to challenge established norms and think critically about the most effective ways to answer profound scientific questions.

Dead Ends

Kandel’s research was not without obstacles. Early experiments often led to dead ends, and the pressure to produce results mounted. Funding was limited, and peers remained skeptical. Yet, each setback became a catalyst for deeper inquiry rather than a deterrent. He meticulously adjusted his hypotheses, refined his methods, and persevered. His tenacity paid off when he discovered that learning and memory are reflected in changes at the synaptic level between neurons.

He demonstrated that short-term memory involves transient functional changes in existing synapses, while long-term memory requires the synthesis of new proteins and the formation of new synaptic connections. These revelations bridged a critical gap between psychology and biology, providing tangible evidence of how experiences can alter the physical structure of the brain. Kandel’s work laid the foundation for modern neuroscience, offering insights into memory disorders and potential avenues for treatment.

Nobel Prize

In 2000, his relentless pursuit of knowledge was recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with the brilliant Arvid Carlsson and Paul Greengard. The award celebrated their collective discoveries concerning signal transduction in the nervous system, affirming the profound impact of Kandel’s research on our understanding of the human mind.

Beyond the laboratory, Kandel became a vocal proponent of interdisciplinary study. He advocated for integrating insights from psychology, biology, and even art to fully appreciate the complexities of consciousness and memory.

His memoir, In Search of Memory, not only chronicles his scientific journey but also how his personal experiences -- shaped by the darkest chapters of human history -- fueled his quest to comprehend the mind.

Moreover, Kandel’s groundbreaking discoveries have had significant implications for understanding memory-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. By clarifying the molecular mechanisms of memory storage, his work has opened new avenues for researching how these processes malfunction in neurodegenerative conditions. This has paved the way for potential therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating memory loss and cognitive decline.

Eric Kandel’s life is a testament to the multifaceted nature of intelligence. It encompasses not just academic prowess but the capacity for critical (and creative) thinking, adaptability in the face of adversity, and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom. Each obstacle he encountered -- from fleeing persecution to redefining scientific boundaries -- was met with a determination to learn and grow.

Relentlessly resourceful

Kandel’s story reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge is an endless journey, one that demands curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. In a world where challenges are constant and change is inevitable, his life exemplifies how intelligence is not a fixed trait but a dynamic process shaped by our responses to life’s tests.

The last I checked Kandel was still playing tennis and indeed occasionally teaching in his 90’s –-- what a brilliant and fascinating human being.  As science continues to unravel the mysteries of the mind, Kandel’s work underscores the limitless potential that lies within each of us to learn, remember, and innovate.

Stay curious

Dr Colin W.P. Lewis

This is part of a series, of people, who have contributed significantly to their field. Whilst they are known within the field, rarely are they known outside the field or widely, yet should be.

Others in the series are Benoît Mandelbrot, Alonzo Church, Hermann Ebbinghaus. Many more to follow.

Eric Kandel’s remarkable contributions have not only transformed neuroscience but have also inspired a generation to embrace the challenges of learning and discovery. His life urges us to look forward—to a future where interdisciplinary collaboration unlocks new possibilities, and where the relentless pursuit of understanding propels us toward a deeper comprehension of ourselves and the world we inhabit.

This is an inspiring lecture by Eric Kandel, worth watching YouTube Kandel Lecture