News Neuroscience

Hippocampus makes maps of social space, too

Brain structure known tracking physical locations also monitors other relationships

People socializing

SOCIAL CIRCLE  Nerve cells in the hippocampus may help people navigate through social space, a study suggests.

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By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

NEW YORK — Cells in a brain structure known as the hippocampus are known to be cartographers, drawing mental maps of physical space. But new studies show that this seahorse-shaped hook of neural tissue can also keep track of social space, auditory space and even time, deftly mapping these various types of information into their proper places.