What process does the hippocampus facilitate in memory?

The hippocampus plays a crucial role in the formation of new memories, particularly by facilitating the transfer of information from short-term memory to long-term memory. This process is essential for consolidating experiences and knowledge into a stable and retrievable form that can be accessed later.

When new information is acquired, it initially resides in short-term memory, which has a limited capacity and duration. The hippocampus aids in the consolidation of this information through a series of processes that involve encoding, stabilization, and storage in long-term memory. This transformation allows us to retain information for longer periods and integrates it with existing knowledge, making it possible to retrieve it when needed.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of the hippocampus in memory. While the hippocampus may contribute indirectly to visual memory storage, spatial reasoning, and some aspects of sleep regulation, its most well-established and critical role is in facilitating the transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory.