Hippocampus does more than store memories: it predicts rewards, study finds – Dr. Mark Brandon

Published on: 2026-01-29 09:00

A recent study conducted by Dr. Mark Brandon and published in Nature is the subject of an article in McGill News. The research shows that the hippocampus does not simply store memories, but reorganises them to anticipate the future, offering new insights into Alzheimer’s disease.

He highlights the importance of recognising their specific difficulties, such as higher rates of suicide and substance abuse. Dr. Whitley advocates for a diverse approach to support, noting that solutions such as physical exercise can sometimes be more effective than traditional pharmacological approaches in improving male well-being.

« The hippocampus is often described as the brain’s internal model of the world. What we are seeing is that this model is not static; it is updated day by day as the brain learns from prediction errors. As outcomes become expected, hippocampal neurons start to respond earlier as they learn what will happen next. »

– Dr Mark Brandon

Hippocampus does more than store memories: it predicts rewards, study finds – Dr. Mark Brandon

Source: McGill - salle de presse