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. HippocampusBy Sibel Saran & Michelle Dlouha

2. Location of the HippocampusLocated in the medial temporal lobe, beneath the cortex.

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

4. Adjacent to the amygdala. Functions of the Hippocampus - Consolidation of new memories (converting short-term memory to long-term memory) Emotions ( limbic system)

5. Navigation

6. Spatial Orientation

7. Learning1st StudyArt Kramer, Charles Hillman & Laura Chaddock - Affiliation between physical fitness (of children) and the hippocampus- Previous studies only on adults and animalsMagnetic resonance imaging to measure size of hippocampus in children

8. More fit & less fit children