Question

During a pet scan, a london cabby is asked to describe the route she would take a fare from the west end theater district to harrod's department store. her description would be associated with increased activity of the right hippocampal formation. an increase in the activity of the amygdala, but not the hippocampus. reduced activity of the left hippocampal formation. increased activity of the left hippocampal formation. reduced activity of the right hippocampal formation.

Answer 1

The correct answer is "increased activity of the right hippocampal formation".
Hippocampus is a brain area which is part of the limbic system and is located below the cerebral cortex. Humans have two hippocampi, one in each side of the brain. Hippocampus is responsible for the formation of long-term memories, by participating in the consolidation of short-term to long-term memory. It also plays a very important role in spatial memory and orientation.
The task that this experienced cab-driver is asked to perform is related to spatial navigation and orientation abilities. The right hippocampus has been shown to participate in the formation of memory for locations in specific environments, while the left hippocampus has been shown to be involved in autobiographical and episodic memory. As a result, the PET scan will show an increased activity of the right hippocampus.