Hippocampus
The
hippocampus is a section of the
brain located below the
cerebral cortex. It is a part of the
limbic system and plays a part in
memory.
The name derives from the fact that its curved shape resembles that of a sea horse (Greek: hippocampus).
There is substantial evidence (from animal studies and from patients with brain injury) that the hippocampus is crucial in the conversion of short term memory into long memory, though it is not yet clear how this occurs. Individuals whose hippocampus becomes damaged (for instance, those with Korsakoff's syndrome), whilst retaining the ability to access long-term memories from before their injury, become unable to form new ones. They can, however, learn new skills (such as playing a musical instrument) but will be totally unable to remember how they gained those skills.
There is also evidence, that the hippocampus is involved in storing unique information, as for example locations. Without a fully functional hippocampus a person may no more be able remember the places he/she has been to and how to get there. London's cab drivers on the other hand, who are required to learn a large number of places and locations, are well known for developing a big hippocampus. The hippocampus seems to grow when storing more information, as many regions of the brain do. (Although nobody knows whether these cab drivers have trained their hippocampus to this extent, or just a person with large well-developed dorsal hippocampus have more chances to become a taxi driver.)
It is because it attacks the hippocampus first that Alzheimer's disease is first discovered by the patient's memory loss.
See also: LTP, LTD, subiculum, dentate gyrus
In Greek mythology, the hippocampus (horse-like sea monster") was a mythical monster, half-horse, half-sea-monster. One of them pulled Poseidon's chariot. It looked like a horse with the rear part resembling a fish or dolphin.
In biology, hippocampus is a genus of fish, the sea-horses, that swim upright with a gripping tail and a horse-like head. See hippocampus (fish)
In the News
Post-Tsunami Thailand Yields Lessons For Coastal Construction
An inspection of Thai villages and ports struck by tsunami waves has uncovered some engineering lessons that might reduce casualties and destruction in future oceanic upheavals, a Johns Hopkins researcher said. Colposcopy: Playing Music Helps Women Relax
If a cervical smear test reveals abnormal cells the woman will be offered colposcopy, a technique that involves a doctor studying the cervix with a special microscope. Many women find the whole procedure highly stressful and have particularly high levels of anxiety before and during colposcopy. Brighter LED Lights Could Replace Household Light Bulbs Within Three Y
Researchers are developing new technology that could replace the household light-bulb within three years. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), already used in electrical equipment such as computers and mobile phones, are several times more energy efficient than standard light-bulbs. However, because of their structure and material, much of the light in standard LEDs becomes trapped, reducing the brightness of the light and making them unsuitable as the main lighting source in the home. Doris Lessing: Book by Book Profile
This 2004 article provides background about author Doris Lessing. "One of the most widely regarded 20th-century novelists, Lessing has been called an African writer, a political writer, a space fiction writer, a mystic writer, and a feminist writer."Includes biographical material, details about her publishing hoax in the early 1980s when she published a book under a pseudonym, and brief descriptions and review excerpts for major works. From Bookmarks magazine. Water Security
"Improving the security of our nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructures has become a top priority since the events of 9/11. ... This Web site provides resources for water utilities, state and local governments, public health officials, emergency responders and planners,"and others. Features vulnerability assessments, emergency-planning tools, research, legislation, and related resources. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Are films ferroelectric?
Films as thin as you like Common Blood Pressure Drug Reduces Progressive Muscle Degeneration In
Scientists supported in part by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have found that that the commonly prescribed blood pressure medication losartan improves muscle regeneration and repair in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating disease characterized by rapid progression of muscle degeneration in boys and young men. New Lab Mice Pave Way For Novel Studies Of Human Infection
A new type of laboratory mouse developed at UT Southwestern Medical Center can fight certain infections the same way humans do, making the rodents very useful for novel studies of human-pathogen interaction and developing disease therapies. Long-haul Flights, Length Of Time Under Anesthesia Increase Risk Of De
The prolonged immobility of flight passengers during long-haul air travel increases the risk of developing blood clots, which could prove fatal especially to people whose travel occurs just prior to major surgery, medical researchers report in the current issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Native Plant Eaters Have Gourmet Palates
New research suggests that plant eaters may prefer to eat exotice species over domestic plants. The findings could lead to better strategies for controlling the billions of dollars in damage that invasive plants cause every year.
MP3 Music Downloads
Preview songs, Download Free Music,Burn CDs at ITunes.com
 
|
