The hippocampus is located in the medial temporal lobe below the cortex and plays an important role in memory consolidation, emotions, navigation, and spatial orientation. Three studies were summarized. The first found that more physically fit children had a larger hippocampus. The second found that long-term ecstasy users had a smaller hippocampus. The third found that Gulf War veterans who had recovered from PTSD had larger hippocampal volumes than those who had not recovered. Damage to the hippocampus can cause amnesia or memory loss and may eventually lead to Alzheimer's disease.

1. Hippocampus By Sibel Saran & Michelle Dlouha

3. Paired structure and has two identical halves that are located in the right and left sides of the brain.

5. Navigation

6. Spatial Orientation

8. More fit & less fit children

9. Significantly increasing growth of new neurons and cell survival

10. More fit kids = larger hippocampushttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100915171536.htm

11. 2nd Study Unknown Names (Dutch Researchers) - General research stated that long term use of ecstasy causes brain damage to hippocampus (memory) - Measured volume of hippocampus using MRI scans - 10 men (mid-20s) w/ long term users of ecstasy - 7 men (early 20s) w/ no history of ecstasy use - The ecstasy group’s MRI scans showed volume of hippocampus 10.5 % smaller http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406192435.htm

13. Group 2: Gulf War veterans – not recovered

14. Group 3: Patients – no PTSD (control)

15. Used structural magnetic resonance

16. Group 1 = larger hippocampal volumes than group 2.

17. Group 1 volumes are similar to group 3 volumeshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110322105257.htm

18. When the hippocampus is damaged… Amnesia or loss of memory Can eventually lead to Alzheimer’s When only one half is damaged in one hemisphere, the brain is still able to retain near-normal memory functioning Can affect ability to learn new cognitive skills

19. THE END