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Hippocampus Research Paper

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The hippocampus is a small region of the brain that is associated with the limbic system (Mandal, n.d). It can be found in the medial temporal lobe of the brain, beneath the cortical surface (Mandal, n.d). It is separated into two half’s that reside on the left and right side of the brains hemispheres (Mandal, n.d). The first description of the hippocampus was given by anatomist Julius Caesar in 1587 (Mandal, n.d). Caesar described the shape first as a silkworm, but would later describe it as a seahorse (Mandal, n.d) The purpose of this paper is to establish the functions of the hippocampus, Diseases and illness’s that harm or alter the hippocampus, as well as research that has been aided in the understanding of the hippocampus. As well as, …show more content…

The hippocampus plays an essential role in long term memory (Memory loss & the brain, 2010). An assumption that many people have is that memories are stored in the hippocampus, which is not true. A simpler way to imagine the hippocampus’s role in long term memory is to think of it as a door that information must go through to get permanently stored in the brain (Memory loss & the brain 2010). After a memory has passed through the hippocampus and is stored permanently it will stay there despite damage to the hippocampus (Bird, Burgess. 2008). The hippocampus’s role in spatial navigation has been and still is a controversy (Bird, Burgess. 2008). However, over the years research has been done to find that the hippocampus is essential in spatial navigation, but the controversy now is how? (Bird, Burgess. 2008). What is known …show more content…

2013). Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that starts at a slow pace and proceeds faster over time (Edit, Oliver. 2013). Studies into the magnetic resonance imaging of patients with Alzheimer’s have discovered a smaller hippocampus, than those who do not suffer from the disease (Edit, Oliver. 2013). Alzheimer’s speeds up an individual’s atrophy rate, causing the brain to shrink at a faster pace than individuals who are not suffering from the disease (Edit, Oliver. 2013). The shrinking of parts of the brain including the hippocampus can be seen in the long term memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients (Edit, Oliver. 2013). In addition to Alzheimer’s there are many other things that have an affect the hippocampus. Such as, Oxygen deprivation (Hypoxia) which can have serious effects on the hippocampus. Hypoxia could happen in result of heart attacks, respiratory failure, carbon monoxide poisoning, near drowning, and sleep apnea to name a few (Memory loss & the brain.

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