A study conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham has revealed that the hippocampus, traditionally known for its role in memory and spatial navigation, also plays a crucial role in controlling skilled actions such as handwriting, typing, and playing music. Published in The Journal of Neuroscience, the study challenges the traditional view of the hippocampus and opens up new possibilities for treating neurological and neurodegenerative disorders that affect movement. By reanalysing functional MRI data, the research team found evidence suggesting that the hippocampus is involved in retrieving and organizing flexible movement sequences from memory.
During the study, participants performed well-practiced finger sequences on a force-sensitive keyboard, similar to piano playing. While areas in the basal ganglia and cerebellum, typically associated with muscle memory for learned motor skills, showed increased activity during the task, the hippocampus was found to hold information about the specific order of finger movements that participants were about to perform. This indicates that the hippocampus plays a key role in predicting and organizing skilled actions, such as typing on a keyboard or playing music with others.
Dr. Katja Kornysheva, the senior author of the study, highlighted the significance of the findings, stating that the brain systems for episodic and procedural memory work together more closely than previously thought, particularly when individuals need to be flexible and switch between learned sequences. This insight could potentially lead to the development of more effective training programs for neurological rehabilitation of movements, as well as for accelerating the learning of new skills. The study’s first author, Dr. Rhys Yewbrey, emphasized the importance of the hippocampus in skilled and flexible motor control, suggesting that it helps in setting up a plan of action for executing movements.
By shedding light on the role of the hippocampus in skilled actions, the researchers hope that their findings will pave the way for further investigations into the interaction between memory systems and the development of innovative therapies that can improve both motor function and cognitive health. The discovery that the hippocampus is involved in predicting and organizing movement sequences adds a new dimension to our understanding of the brain’s capabilities and may have significant implications for the treatment of movement-related disorders. This study underscores the intricate interplay between memory, control of actions, and brain regions, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of brain function and the potential for enhancing motor skills through targeted interventions.
Overall, the study highlights the interconnected nature of memory systems and motor control, showcasing the versatility of the hippocampus in facilitating skilled actions. The findings provide valuable insights into how the brain processes and executes complex movement sequences, offering potential avenues for improving rehabilitation strategies for conditions that affect movement. By recognizing the hippocampus’s role in setting up action plans for skilled activities, researchers can explore new approaches to enhance motor function and cognitive abilities, potentially benefiting individuals with a range of neurological disorders.