Do you sometimes suddenly forget where you put your keys or a friend's name? Or do you remember an event that happened years ago as if it were yesterday? Behind this amazing thing called memory is a small but very powerful part of our brain. Even if you are not a neurologist, you have probably heard of this name - it is the ' Hippocampus '. Today we will talk about this amazing organ, how it works, and how important it is to our lives.
Simply put, what is this hippocampus?
The hippocampus is part of the limbic system in our brain. This system is closely associated with our memory, learning, and emotions . The hippocampus' main job is to take short-term memories and help them be stored in other parts of the brain as long-term memories. It's like someone in a library taking new books, sorting them, and putting them on permanent shelves.
The name 'hippocampus' comes from the Greek word for 'seahorse'. This is because this organ is shaped like a seahorse. We all have two such hippocampi in our brains, one on each side of the brain. This part is one of the most studied parts of the brain by scientists because it is linked to many neurological diseases and conditions.
What happens to the hippocampus?
At first, researchers thought the hippocampus was related to the sense of smell (olfaction). But later it was discovered that its main function is memory-related tasks. However, it uses information from our five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) to create memories.
Because memory is essential for almost everything we do, the hippocampus is an essential part of our daily lives. Because of its complex function, it can "talk" or connect with many other parts of the brain.
Let's look at the table below to see what the main functions of the hippocampus are.
| Main function | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Declarative Memories | It helps you remember information like a person's name, date, time, and place. For example, it helps you instantly remember things like where to meet your friend and their home number. |
| Converting short-term memory into long-term memory | It helps to permanently store things in the brain, such as something you learned today or the name of someone you just met. Sleep is very important for this process. That's why we forget things on days when we don't sleep well. |
| Remembering places and directions (Spatial Navigation) | It helps you remember directions, to get to places. Imagine, when you go from home to the store every day, you remember the route with the help of this hippocampus. It's like the 'Google Map' inside your head. |
Where is the hippocampus located in the brain?
The hippocampus is located in the temporal lobe, a part of the brain that is located just above your ears. This is the part that helps store memories and emotions .
What's special is that, unlike many other parts of our body, the hippocampus can change and grow over time. This process is called neurogenesis. This means that when we learn new things and have new experiences, this part gets stronger.
How do you know if there is a problem with the hippocampus?
Symptoms of hippocampal dysfunction are often memory-related. It's normal to forget where you put your keys for a day or two, or to misplace someone's name. But if you're experiencing one or more of the symptoms below , it's best to see your doctor to find out what's causing it.
| Symptoms to watch out for |
|---|
| - Short-term memory loss (e.g., forgetting something said a few minutes ago) |
| - Difficulty with directions and locations (e.g. getting lost even on a well-known route) |
| - Difficulty forming new memories (even if old memories are good) |
| - Difficulty remembering things like dates, times, names, and places |
What are the diseases that affect the hippocampus?
There are several medical conditions that can damage the hippocampus.
- Alzheimer 's Disease: Although this disease affects many parts of the brain, the hippocampus is the first to be affected. In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, the tissue in the hippocampus degenerates and begins to shrink. This is why symptoms such as forgetting names and faces, and getting lost in familiar streets occur.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This condition can develop in some people after experiencing a severe traumatic event. It can include symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, and intense anxiety. Some research has found that the size of the hippocampus decreases in this condition. Also, when our minds urge us to stay away from a place or person that we feel afraid of, the hippocampus is the one that creates that feeling. It is to protect us from danger.
- Temporal lobe epilepsy: Seizures in epilepsy can damage the hippocampus. When these seizures occur over a long period of time, the hippocampus can shrink in size.
How do you keep your hippocampus healthy?
While we can't exercise the hippocampus like we lift weights to build biceps, there are a few things we can do to improve our memory and keep this important part healthy. You can also ask your doctor for more advice on this.
- Learn new things throughout your life: Learning a new language, musical instrument, or any other skill keeps your brain and hippocampus active.
- Use multiple senses at once: Use multiple senses when learning something. Imagine you are learning how to make a new dish. When you learn by looking at it, smelling it, and tasting it, you remember it better.
- Use planners , calendars, and phone apps to help you remember, instead of stressing yourself out over small things.
- Review what you've learned: After you've learned something, review it again in a few days, a week, or a month. This helps the hippocampus transfer the information to long-term memory.
- Get a good night's sleep: As we mentioned earlier, sleep is essential for memory consolidation. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of good sleep a day.
- Exercise regularly: Physical exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which is also very beneficial for the health of the hippocampus.
Take-Home Message
- The hippocampus is a 'seahorse'-shaped part of our brain that is essential for memory, learning, and emotion.
- A key function of this is to convert short-term memories into long-term memories. Good sleep is essential for this.
- The hippocampus also helps us remember places and directions.
- If you have symptoms like persistent memory problems or difficulty with orientation, it could be a sign of a problem with the hippocampus. In such a case , be sure to see your doctor.
- You can keep your hippocampus healthy by learning new things, getting good sleep, exercising, and reducing stress.
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