Relationship Between Hippocampus And Amygdala

The hippocampus and amygdala are two of the most researched areas of the brain. The hippocampus and amygdala are two sections of the limbic system (Pinel, 2014). The hippocampus plays role in for memory “spatial location” (Pinel, 2014, p.70). While the amygala plays a “role in memory for the emotional significance of experiences “(Pinel, 2014, p.278). The relationship between the hippocampus and amygdala is that they both work together to form long term memories, process emotions and determine how the emotions are linked into memories (Pinel, 2014). Although, there is little research to prove that the amygdala stores any memories (Pinel, 2014). If the hippocampus and amygdala are damaged, it can result in many different memory deficits,

including Alzheimer’s, and amnesia.

Prior to his surgery, H.M. suffered no memory deficits. However, post-surgical he suffered from mild retrograde amnesia for events that were two years prior to his surgery, but his child hood memories were relatively unaffected (Pinel, 2014). His short-term anterograde memory also remained relatively unaffected. H.M. was able to recall up to six numbers, but anything over six number proved to be too difficult (Pinel, 2014). H.M.’s unable to form any new long term memories, as soon as he would stop thinking about an event or experience, it was lost to him forever (Pinel, 2014).

H.M.’s inability to recall words was shown to be a problem with long term memory. It was a problem with consolidation (Pinel, 2014, p.269). According to Pinel (2014), H.M.’s amnesia was medial temporal lobe amnesia, in which he experienced difficulty “forming explicit long-term memories while retaining the ability to form implicit long-term memories of the same experiences…” (Pinel, 2014, p. 264). Although, the way the amnesia is usually portrayed in the movies, 10 second Tom for 50 First dates, would seem to match H.M.’s capacity for memory (Segal, "50 first dates").

The function of the cerebellum in storage of associative learning as stated in the text is that it’s the storage of memories learned from sensorimotor skills (Pinel, 2014, p. 280). The cerebellum is the location for memories that are the result of a learned skill. The eye blink test’s that H.M. endured, is an example of a learned skill, although it took H.M. a great deal of time for him to retain the information (Pinel, 2014). As a result of the learned skill through the eye blink tests, that information was stored in the cerebellum.
I was fascinated by both of the assigned videos. So much of how the brain works is still relatively unknown and I for one am glad that we are still researching the functions of the brain. I especially found it interesting that Clive was still able to play the piano, even though he could not carry on a conversation (Casper, 2007). I particularly enjoyed the reference from John Medina, when he said that the hippocampus and the cortex have a love relationship and when the hippocampus no longer needs the cortex, they “break up” (Brainrules.net, 2008).