Brain Structures & Memory Loss: The Case Study of H.M.- October 21th, 2011

    Scientists tested and saw that there were atleast two systems in the brain for creating new memories. One known as declarative memory record names, faces, and new experiences and stores them until they are consciously retrieved. This system depends on the function of medial temporal areas, such as hippocampus, now the object of intense study. The other system, motor learning is subconscious. This explains why people can jump on a bike after years of not riding which is proven by H.M.'s star test. They learned that without the hippocampus a human brain could not hold thoughts for more than about 20 seconds.
"The study of H.M. by Brenda Milner stands as one of the great milestones in the history of modern neuroscience."