Challenging social environments and the size of the left hippocampus in children aged 9-11 contribute to an increased risk of depression. Researchers found that children with larger hippocampal volumes are more sensitive to negative social environments, amplifying depressive symptoms over a two-year period.

A new study has mapped a brain circuit responsible for detecting threats and forming fear memories. The hippocampus, known for spatial navigation, also plays a role in recognizing dangers, with the subiculum transferring threat information to the hypothalamus.

Memories are not static; they adapt over time to help us respond to new situations. Researchers have discovered that the hippocampus stores multiple copies of a single memory, each within different neuron groups that develop at different stages. These copies vary in their persistence and flexibility, influencing how memories can be modified or recalled. Understanding these dynamics may lead to new ways to address memory-related disorders.

Researchers have uncovered how the brain processes inferential reasoning by recording neuron activity in individuals as they learned through trial and error. The study revealed that specific brain regions, particularly the hippocampus, create geometric neural representations when people successfully infer new rules from prior knowledge.