patient H.M.

Patient H.M., whose real name was Henry Molaison, was a man who underwent brain surgery in the 1950s to treat severe epilepsy. This surgery involved removing parts of his hippocampus, a region crucial for forming new memories. As a result, H.M. developed profound amnesia, unable to create new memories after the operation, although his memory from before the surgery remained intact. His case provided invaluable insights into how memory works, highlighting the role of the hippocampus in forming long-term memories and advancing our understanding of memory disorders and the brain itself. H.M.'s story is significant in psychology and neuroscience.