A seahorse-shaped brain structure deep in the temporal lobe that is essential for forming new memories.
Structure
The hippocampus has a curved shape with distinct subregions including the dentate gyrus and the CA1 through CA4 fields. Its layered cortex is one of the simplest examples of the three-layered allocortex.
Function
The structure is critical for converting short-term experiences into durable long-term memories. It also contains place cells that encode the body’s location in space.
Clinical note
The hippocampus is one of the first regions to shrink in Alzheimer disease, which is why memory loss is often the earliest symptom.
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