Brain Explorer
intermediateanatomymemoryhippocampus

Hippocampus

The brain's memory formation and spatial navigation center.

Hippocampus and seahorse

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The hippocampus is a seahorse-shaped structure in the medial temporal lobe essential for forming new declarative memories. O'Keefe discovered place cells that fire when an animal occupies specific locations. Memory consolidation occurs through hippocampal-cortical replay during sleep. Adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus may support pattern separation. Hippocampal atrophy is an early marker of Alzheimer's disease.

Functions

Memory consolidationSpatial navigationContextual memoryPattern separation

Gallery

Hippocampus

Hippocampus

MRI

MRI

Place cell firing

Place cell firing

Videos

2-Minute Neuroscience: Hippocampus

Neuroscientifically Challenged

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How Memory Works — Eric Kandel

Nobel Prize

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