A doctor on television is discussing the curious case of G.R., a patient who has suffered damage to his brain. G.R. believes that it is still 1970 and that the last Olympic games were held in Mexico in 1968, even though it is now the 21st century. Before the doctor divulges the part of the brain that is damaged in this individual, you predict that it is the

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories. Damage to this area can result in an inability to form new memories, which is consistent with G.R.'s belief that it is still 1970, indicating an impairment in updating his memory with new information.  Damage to the hippocampus does not allow G.R. to put new information into long-term memory. He can remember the distant past, before the damage to his brain occurred. He could likely learn new tasks, but knowledge of learning them would not be stored in his long-term memory.

A Doctor on Television Is Discussing the Curious Case of G.R