The Case study of H.M.

Who was the first to report the case of H.M?

Milner (1957) and the profound effects on memory functioning following an operation which removed the hippocampus and adjacent areas in H.M.'s brain.

What did Corkin et al. do and discover?

(1997) did a MRI scan of H.M's brain. Brain imaging was used because it allowed the researchers to get a precise image of the brain damage. They discovered that parts of the temporal lobe including the hippocampus and the amygdala were missing but also that the damage was not as extensive as previously believed.

Why is this case study important?

It provided evidence that there are different memory systems in the brain

What type of surgery did William Scoville perform on H.M. and why?

Experimental brain surgery removing the medial temporal lobe and the hippocampus as he thought it would stop the seizures.

What was the result of the operation?

H.M. suffered from anterograde and retrograde amnesia, and was not able to create new memories.

What does this case study show about the role of hippocampus?

That it plays a critical role I converting memories of experience from short-term memory to long-term memory.

What is assumed about how H.M's seizures were connected?

The medial temporal lobe and the hipocampus

What can be learned about localization of function of brain in relation to memory from the case study of H.M.?

• Procedural memory is not stored through the hippocampus • The brain has several memory systems • Processes of memory are very complex • The hippocampus is not the only structure involved in the process.