Cited by 375Memory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and InfluencesSpatial Cognition and Navigation

Memory for places learned long ago is intact after hippocampal damage

Teng, Edmond, Squire, Larry R.·1999·Nature

Abstract

The hippocampus is part of a system of structures in the medial temporal lobe that are essential for memory. One influential view of hippocampal function emphasizes its role in the acquisition and retrieval of spatial knowledge. By this view, the hippocampus constructs and stores spatial maps and is therefore essential for learning and remembering places, including those learned about long ago. We tested a profoundly amnesic patient (E.P.), who has virtually complete bilateral damage to the hippocampus and extensive damage to adjacent structures in the medial temporal lobe. We asked him to recall the spatial layout of the region where he grew up, from which he moved away more than 50 years ago. E.P. performed as well as or better than age-matched control subjects who grew up in the same region and also moved away. In contrast, E.P. has no knowledge of his current neighbourhood, to which he moved after he became amnesic. Our results show that the medial temporal lobe is not the permanent repository of spatial maps, and support the view that the hippocampus and other structures in the medial temporal lobe are essential for the formation of long-term declarative memories, both spatial and non-spatial, but not for the retrieval of very remote memories, either spatial or non-spatial.

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  • Neuropsychological evidence indicates that complex spatial memories acquired years in the past can become independent of the hippocampus.

    “Neuropsychological evidence indicates that complex spatial memories acquired years in the past can become independent of the hippocampus (Teng and Squire 1999; Rosenbaum et al. 2000, 2005; Maguire et al. 2006; Herdman et al. 2015).”

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Authors
Teng, E., & Squire, L. R.
Affiliations
University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Squire, Larry R.
Venue
Nature
Published
1999-08
Volume
400
Issue
6745
Pages
675-677
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W1655416104
Cited by
372
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 11
FWCI
10.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
Keywords
hippocampus, spatial memory, remote memory retrieval, medial temporal lobe, amnesia, place learning, spatial maps, autobiographical memory
MeSH terms
Aged, Amnesia, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Male, Memory, Space Perception, Time Factors

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