What is the primary role of the hippocampus in memory?

The primary role of the hippocampus in memory is the initial consolidation of declarative memory. The hippocampus is crucial for the formation and organization of new memories, particularly those related to facts (semantic memory) and events (episodic memory). It acts as a temporary storage site where new information is processed before being transferred to more permanent storage locations within the cerebral cortex.

During the process of memory consolidation, the hippocampus helps in encoding new experiences and integrating them with existing knowledge. While it does play a role in the storage of long-term memories, particularly in the context of retrieval and the organization of memories, its primary function is the early stages of memory consolidation.

The other options relate to functions that are not the primary responsibilities of the hippocampus. For instance, while the hippocampus is involved in memory processes, the main role of long-term memory storage occurs primarily in the cerebral cortex. Additionally, sensory information processing is mainly handled by sensory regions of the brain that are specialized for that task. Emotional regulation involves other parts of the brain such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, making them more central to emotional responses than the hippocampus.