Lexington StreetsweeperHow is your hippocampal tail?
The hippocampal tail is part of the hippocampus and is involved in spatial memory and navigation. Rapid shrinking of the hippocampal tail in older adults, together with impaired spatial navigation, can be early signs of Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia.
The study found that people who lived in cities and frequently crossed intersections or relied on complex navigational skills had larger hippocampal tails.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-street-layouts-aging-brains-brain.html
Why street layouts may matter for aging brains: Brain scans link walkability to memory
The simple act of crossing a road could help shield the brain from dementia and other cognitive conditions, according to new research from the Australian Catholic University and UNSW Sydney's Center for Healthy Brain Aging (CHeBA). The study found that people who lived in cities and frequently crossed intersections or relied on complex navigational skills had larger hippocampal tails.