Eleanor A. Maguire

Eleanor A. Maguire

Known for	Research on human memory and spatial navigation

Eleanor A. Maguire is a prominent neuroscientist and psychologist known for her extensive research in the areas of human memory and spatial navigation. She is particularly renowned for her studies on the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory formation and spatial awareness. Maguire's work has significantly contributed to the understanding of how memories are formed, stored, and recalled, and how these processes relate to the physical structure of the brain.

Biography

The details of Eleanor A. Maguire's early life, including her birth date and place, are not specified. She pursued higher education in the field of neuroscience and psychology, focusing her research on the cognitive mechanisms underlying human memory.

Career

Eleanor A. Maguire is based at University College London (UCL), where she has conducted much of her research. At UCL, she has been a part of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, a leading institution for brain research. Her work often involves the use of advanced brain imaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to explore the neural basis of memory and navigation.

Key Research and Contributions

One of Maguire's most cited studies involves London taxi drivers, a group known for their extensive knowledge of London's complex street layout. Her research demonstrated that the posterior hippocampi of these drivers were significantly larger compared to those in control subjects. This finding suggests that the hippocampus is involved in storing and retrieving complex spatial maps and that it can change in response to environmental demands.

Maguire has also explored the effects of damage to the hippocampus on memory, showing how such damage can impair the ability to imagine future scenarios, thereby highlighting the role of the hippocampus in imagining as well as remembering.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Eleanor A. Maguire has received numerous accolades for her contributions to neuroscience and psychology. The specific awards and honors are not listed here.

Publications

Eleanor A. Maguire has authored and co-authored a wide range of publications in prestigious scientific journals. Her work is highly regarded and frequently cited in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Memory
• Spatial Memory
• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging