Which area of the brain integrates memory and sensory information?

The entorhinal gyrus plays a crucial role in integrating memory and sensory information due to its position as a gateway between the neocortex and the hippocampus, which is essential for memory formation and retrieval. The entorhinal gyrus is involved in spatial memory and navigation, linking sensory input with memory processes. It receives information from the sensory areas of the cortex and relays it to the hippocampus, which is central for declarative memory and spatial navigation.

This integration is vital for allowing the brain to form coherent memories that are connected to specific sensory experiences. The entorhinal gyrus helps create a contextual framework within which these memories can be stored and later accessed, making its function integral to how humans and animals navigate their environments and recall experiences.

Other areas mentioned, such as the occipital lobe, primarily focus on visual processing. The frontal cortex is associated with higher cognitive functions, including decision making and impulse control, but does not integrate sensory memories in the same direct manner as the entorhinal gyrus. The brainstem is more involved in autonomic functions and basic sensory and motor pathways, rather than the integration of memory and sensory information.