The human brain comprises a major part called hippocampus. The memory system depends upon this component especially the long term memory has much to do with the hippocampus. It has dual and symmetrical structure, one part in the left and the other in the second hemisphere of the brain. When this component of the brain gets damaged, the problems of disorientation and loss of memory occurs. So when Alzheimer’s disease attacks, the similar symptoms become visible.

The loss of memory can be in the form of Amnesia which is the disease that causes inability to relate events with the previous ones and all new occurrences just evaporate from the memory. So the hippocampus has a vital role to play in the processing of memory about the events. Some scientists have view point regarding the hippocampus is that it is part of a bigger memory system which processes and recalls that part of memory which relates to verbal ability. It means the hippocampus is that part of the brain which is responsible for the extraction and conversion of multitude of different types of memories in to meaningful and concrete verbal depositions and statements. So this is why, when there is a damage done to hippocampus, the person experiences problems in forming new memories.

It also damages the already retained memories before the damage to hippocampus was done e.g. some years before the time when the damage was done to hippocampus are just ‘wiped out” but not the older memories.

Hippocampi