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Role of Hippocampus in Memory

Role of Hippocampus in Memory

The hippocampus, a critical brain structure, plays an essential role in memory processing, particularly in the formation and retrieval of memory. This small, seahorse-shaped region is located within the medial temporal lobe, with one hippocampus in each brain hemisphere. Experimental studies involving lesions in the hippocampi of rats have demonstrated significant impairments in tasks such as object recognition and maze navigation, indicating the hippocampus involvement in both recognition and...

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Investigating Long-term Synaptic Plasticity in Interlamellar Hippocampus CA1 by Electrophysiological Field Recording

Investigating Long-term Synaptic Plasticity in Interlamellar Hippocampus CA1 by Electrophysiological Field Recording

Published on: August 11, 2019

Hippocampal functional connectivity changes associated with active and lecture-based physics learning.

Donisha D Smith¹, Jessica E Bartley², Julio A Peraza²

¹Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology

|October 3, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Active learning in physics courses enhances hippocampal connectivity with key brain regions involved in experiential learning. Passive learning, however, shows increased connectivity with areas associated with observation, suggesting different neurobiological pathways for active versus passive engagement.

Keywords:

educational neuroscience fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging hippocampus physics cognition resting state functional connectivity task-based functional connectivity

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Published on: July 21, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Physics Education

Background:

Introductory physics courses struggle to reconcile new concepts with students' misconceptions.
Active learning strategies are effective for complex physics, but their neurobiological basis is unclear.
The hippocampus is crucial for learning and memory, making it a key area to study.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of active versus lecture-based learning in university physics.
To examine changes in hippocampal whole-brain connectivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
To understand how different pedagogical approaches impact learning-related brain connectivity.

Main Methods:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess brain connectivity.
Students in active learning and lecture-based physics courses were scanned before and after a 15-week semester.
Changes in hippocampal whole-brain connectivity were analyzed.

Main Results:

Hippocampal connectivity with frontal and parietal lobes decreased over time in both groups.
Active learning students showed increased hippocampal connectivity with parietal, cerebellar, and frontal regions.
Lecture-based students exhibited increased hippocampal connectivity with the fusiform gyrus, linked to passive observation.

Conclusions:

While some hippocampal connectivity may naturally decrease, active learning preferentially enhances connectivity related to constructivist principles.
Passive learning correlates with increased connectivity in brain regions associated with visual observation.
Findings highlight distinct neurobiological effects of active versus passive learning on the hippocampus during physics education.