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How does the hippocampus interact with the amygdala during emotional memories?

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Patient H.M. and short-term memory loss explained — hippocampus Learn about Henry Molaison (better known as “patient H.M.”), whose short-term memory loss following a lobotomy helped researchers to understand how brain structures are related to brain function.

The hippocampus and the amygdala are both critical components of the limbic system, a neural network that mediates emotion and memory. Their physical proximity in the medial temporal lobe facilitates a functional partnership, particularly regarding emotional memories.123

The amygdala is primarily responsible for evaluating the emotional significance—or valence—of experiences, while the hippocampus is central to the formation and storage of long-term, fact- and event-related memories. When an experience is accompanied by strong emotions, the amygdala modulates the memory storage process within the hippocampus. This interaction ensures that events with high emotional arousal are prioritized and made more resistant to forgetting.132

Furthermore, the anterior portion of the hippocampus is preferentially connected to the amygdala, a pathway specifically involved in the regulation of emotion and stress. Through these anatomical and functional connections, the two structures work in concert to integrate the cognitive details of an event with its associated emotional intensity.312