This study tested the hypothesis that the hippocampus has a
relatively specific role in retaining information over delays.
Thirty-seven subjects with probable Alzheimer's disease were
evaluated with a verbal memory task and structural MRI. Cortical gray
matter but not hippocampal volume predicted immediate free recall. In
contrast, hippocampal volume was the best predictor of how well
information was retained over a delay, even after controlling for
levels of immediate recall. Results suggest that the role of the
hippocampus is relatively specific to the consolidation of new
memories. (JINS, 2004, 10, 639–643.)