Memory and the hippocampus: A synthesis from findings with rats, monkeys, and humans.

The hippocampus rapidly and automatically binds together disparate cortical representations into a unitary representation that can then be recalled by partial retrieval cues at a later time.

“The hippocampus rapidly and automatically binds together disparate cortical representations into a unitary representation that can then be recalled by partial retrieval cues at a later time+”

The hippocampus is a medial temporal lobe region adjacent to the amygdala that is implicated in declarative memory, contextual memory and fear conditioning.

“the hippocampus, a medial temporal lobe region adjacent to the amygdala that is implicated in declarative memory,27 contextual memory28 and fear conditioning,29”

The hippocampus is key for recent memory formation.

“The hippocampus, a brain structure deep in the temporal lobe, is key for recent memory formation (13–15).”

Both the standard consolidation model and memory transformation accounts predict that HF activity during retrieval should decline with increasing retention intervals, although they assign different explanations to this decline.

“Both the standard consolidation model and memory transformation accounts predict that HF activity during retrieval should decline with increasing retention intervals, although they assign different explanations to this decline.”

SCT argues that initially the hippocampus is involved in processing spatial memories, and that over time representations in neocortical regions are strengthened, reducing the demand on the hippocampus.

“the standard consolidation theory (SCT) argues that initially the hippocampus is involved in processing the spatial memories, and that over time the representations in neocortical regions are strengthened, reducing the demand on the hippocampus (Squire 1992; Squire and Zola-Morgan 1998).”

Retention of declarative memory critically depends on the integrity of the hippocampus and benefits specifically from early nocturnal sleep, in which SWS predominates and cortisol concentrations are minimal.

“Retention of declarative memory critically depends on the integrity of the hippocampus and has been shown to benefit specifically from early nocturnal sleep, in which SWS predominates and cortisol concentrations are minimal [52, 53].”