In an attempt to relieve Mary's life-threatening seizures, doctors removed most of her hippocampus along with part of the amygdala. After the operation:
A) she could no longer walk or control her arm movements.
B) her two hemispheres could not communicate with one another.
C) she could not remember new experiences.
D) her seizures remained unrelenting and uncontrollable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is a brain structure involved in the formation of new memories, so removing most of it would impair Mary's ability to create new memories. The amygdala is involved in processing emotions, but it is unlikely that its removal alone would result in the other outcomes mentioned in the answer options. However, the surgery may not have been successful in stopping Mary's seizures.

In an Attempt to Relieve Mary's Life-Threatening Seizures, Doctors Removed