Octavio Amancio-Belmont, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Ontogeny and Addictions, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
Aline Mendoza-Méndez, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Ontogeny and Addictions, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
Lorena A. Becerril-Meléndez, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Ontogeny and Addictions, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
Javier Franco-Pérez, Cerebrovascular Pathology Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
Mónica Méndez-Díaz, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Ontogeny and Addictions, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
The hippocampus has historically been studied for its role in the consolidation of declarative and spatial memory. However, recent evidence has recognized it as a structure associated with impulse control. This review traces its conceptual evolution, from its earliest anatomical descriptions to its recognition as a modulator of behavior. It addresses structural findings in humans linking alterations in hippocampal volume to a greater preference for immediate rewards, as well as connectivity studies highlighting its functional interaction with the medial prefrontal cortex, a region essential for executive control. Finally, experimental data are presented that link high expression of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 in the hippocampus of adolescent rats with greater impulsivity and alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that the hippocampus, far from being a mere repository of memories, acts as an integrator of contextual, cognitive, and motivational signals that modulate adaptive behavior.
Keywords: Hippocampus. Memory. Cannabinoid receptor. Impulsivity. Addiction.