Cited by 123Memory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and InfluencesEpilepsy research and treatment

Memory and the Medial Temporal Lobe: Patient H. M.

Neylan, Thomas C.·2000·The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences

Abstract

Bilateral medial temporal lobe resection in man results in a persistent impairment of recent memory whenever the removal is carried far enough posteriorly to damage portions of the anterior hippocampus and hippocampal gyrus. This conclusion is based on formal psychological testing of nine cases (eight psychotic and one epileptic) carried out from one and one-half to four years after operation. The degree of memory loss appears to depend on the extent of hippocampal removal. In two cases in which bilateral resection was carried to a distance of 8 cm posterior to the temporal tips the loss was particularly severe. Removal of only the uncus and amygdala bilaterally does not appear to cause memory impairment. A case of unilateral inferior temporal lobectomy with radical posterior extension to include the major portion of the hippocampus and hippocampal gyrus showed no lasting memory loss. This is consistent with Milner and Penfield's negative findings in a long series of unilateral removals for temporal lobe epilepsy. The memory loss in these cases of medial temporal lobe excision involved both anterograde and some retrograde amnesia, but left early memories and technical skills intact. There was no deterioration in personality or general intelligence, and no complex perceptual disturbance such as is seen after a more complete bilateral temporal lobectomy. It is concluded that the anterior hippocampus and hippocampal gyrus, either separately or together, are critically concerned in the retention of current experience. It is not known whether the amygdala plays any part in this mechanismi, since the hippocampal complex has not been removed alone, but always together with uncus and amygdala.

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Crossref · 10.1176/jnp.12.1.103

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  • The effects of exercise on the brain are most apparent in the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory.

    “The effects of exercise on the brain are most apparent in the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning and memory143.”

    From Exerkines in health, resilience and disease (2022) · cites this paper as [143]

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Authors
Neylan, T. C.
Affiliations
BMJ Group (United Kingdom) (GB)
Corresponding author
Neylan, Thomas C.
Venue
The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
Published
2000-02
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
103-103
ISSN
  • 0895-0172 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-7222
OpenAlex
W1914486736
Cited by
123
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
FWCI
0.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Neuropsychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Epilepsy research and treatment
Keywords
recent memory impairment, hippocampus, anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, temporal lobe epilepsy, uncus, amygdala, memory retention
MeSH terms
Amnesia, Dominance, Cerebral, Epilepsy, Generalized, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Male, Psychosurgery, Temporal Lobe, History, 20th Century

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