Hippocampus

Definition

The hippocampus is a major component of the brain located in the medial temporal lobe, playing critical roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. It is one of the most studied parts of the brain due to its importance in learning and memory.

Related terms

Neurogenesis: The process by which neurons are generated from neural stem cells and progenitor cells, prominently occurring in the hippocampus.

Long: term potentiation (LTP) - A long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously, crucial for learning and memory processes.

Spatial navigation: The ability to orient oneself and navigate from one place to another, a cognitive task heavily reliant on the hippocampal region for processing spatial memory