Let's learn about the hippocampus: the little hero of the brain responsible for your memory.

Do you sometimes forget little things? Where your keys are, what you had for dinner last night, or something important you wanted to tell a friend... These things happen to us all the time. It's normal. But have you ever wondered who is behind this amazing thing called "memory" and how it works? Today we are going to talk about a tiny, but very powerful, and important hero hidden inside our brain. His name is the hippocampus .

What is the Hippocampus?

Simply put, the hippocampus is a very small part of our brain. But it does a lot of work. It is the one that makes the biggest contribution to your learning and memory . There are two hippocampi, one on the left side of our brain, one on the inside and one on the outside.

Imagine, you learn something new, you have a new experience. Those things are first stored as short-term memory. The main job of the hippocampus is to take these short-term memories, select the most important things from them, organize them, and store them in other parts of the brain as long-term memories.

The hippocampus looks a bit strange. It looks like a bent 'S', or a seahorse . That's why it got its name.

This small part belongs to the limbic system of our brain. This system controls our emotions, sense of smell, memory, and automatic functions like heartbeat and breathing.

What are the main functions of the hippocampus?

The hippocampus is like the information manager of our brain. Let's take a look at its main functions.

How does the hippocampus work with other parts of the brain?

The hippocampus doesn't work alone. It works in concert with other parts of the brain, like a team. In particular, it has a very close relationship with the part of the brain called the amygdala, which controls emotions.

Let's take an example to understand this.

Imagine that you are walking down the street and you see a dog for the first time. The dog wags its tail, comes up to you, and licks your hand affectionately. At this point, your hippocampus stores this event (seeing a dog) as a memory. At the same time, your amygdala associates the feelings of "happiness," "love," and "safety" with that memory. Then, when you see a dog another day, your hippocampus retrieves the old memory, and your amygdala recalls the happy feelings associated with it. That's how you feel good about dogs.

Now imagine the other way around. The first dog you met barked at you and tried to chase you away. The hippocampus then remembers the event, and the amygdala associates the emotions "fear," "anger," and "danger" with that memory. That's why every time you see a dog, you feel scared. This is what we call the "Fight-or-Flight" response. These parts of the limbic system work together to prepare our bodies to fight or run away when we see danger.

What happens if the hippocampus is damaged?

Unfortunately, an accident, illness, or other brain damage can disrupt the function of the hippocampus. This can make it difficult to form new memories, remember names, dates, places, and process information.

Here are some of the main medical conditions that can damage the hippocampus:

• Alzheimer's Disease: This is a disease that causes gradual memory loss. The hippocampus is the first area of ​​damage.
• Amnesia: Loss of memory due to some reason.
• Dementia: A condition characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, and social skills.
• Encephalitis: Infection and swelling of the brain.
• Epilepsy: A neurological condition that causes seizures.
• Hypoxia: Lack of oxygen to the brain.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A mental condition that occurs after a severe traumatic event.
Schizophrenia : A mental illness that affects thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Also, the size and function of the hippocampus decreases slightly with age . So it's normal for our memory to get a little weaker as we age. That's because the hippocampus slows down a little. There's no need to worry too much about that.

How do you know if there is a problem with the hippocampus? What are the symptoms?

It is important to recognize the symptoms that arise when the hippocampus is damaged. These can appear suddenly or gradually.

How does a doctor diagnose this type of problem?

If you or someone in your family is experiencing memory problems like this, it's important to see a doctor right away . He or she may recommend various tests to find the cause.

• Physical exam: Checking your overall health.
• Neurological exam: Checking the function of your brain and nervous system.
• Psychological evaluation: Evaluation of your memory, thinking ability, and mental state.
• MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI scan): Takes detailed images of the brain to see if there is any damage.
• PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography - PET scan): Examination of brain function and metabolism.
• CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan): Obtains cross-sectional images of the brain to identify problems.

After these tests, your doctor will determine the cause of the condition and the appropriate treatment.

How to keep the hippocampus strong and healthy?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. There are many things we can do to keep our hippocampus and the rest of our brain healthy. These are also very important for your overall health.

• Control underlying diseases: If you have diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, control them well according to your doctor's instructions.
• Eat a balanced diet: Eat more brain-healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, omega-3-rich fish, and nuts.
• Exercise regularly: Engage in some form of exercise, such as walking, running, or swimming, for at least 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain.
• Manage stress: Reduce stress by meditating, yoga, listening to music, and engaging in a hobby.
• Get enough sleep: It is essential to get 7-8 hours of good sleep every day. It is while we are sleeping that the hippocampus organizes the day's memories.
• Learn new things: Keep your brain active by learning a new language, a musical instrument, reading books, and solving puzzles.

Are you caring for someone with memory problems?

Caring for someone with memory loss can be a big responsibility and emotionally draining. When your loved one forgets you and doesn't understand why they need help, you may feel sad, angry, and helpless. That's why it's important to take care of your mental health . If you're struggling, talk to your doctor or someone you trust about it.

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