The case of H.M.: A 50-year retrospective

The case of H.M. refers to Henry Molaison, a man who underwent brain surgery in 1953 to treat severe epilepsy. The surgery involved removing parts of his hippocampus, leading to profound memory loss. H.M. could not form new memories, though his intelligence and personality remained intact. His case became crucial in neuroscience, demonstrating the role of the hippocampus in memory formation. Over 50 years, researchers studied him, advancing our understanding of memory, learning, and the brain's structure-function relationship. H.M.'s case highlighted the complexity of memory and informed treatments for neurological conditions. He passed away in 2008, leaving a lasting legacy in science.