orientation (physiology)

"At once far flung and intimate, a fascinating look at how finding our way make us human . . . explores the neurological basis of spatial orientation within the hippocampus. Without it, people inhabit a dream state, becoming amnesiacs incapable of finding their way, recalling the past, or imagining the future. Studies have shown that the more we exercise our cognitive mapping skills, the greater the grey matter and health of our hippocampus. O'Connor talks to scientists studying how atrophy in the hippocampus is associated with afflictions such as impaired memory, dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, depression and PTSD. 'Wayfinding' is a captivating book that charts how our species' profound capacity for exploration, memory and storytelling results in topophilia, the love of place"--Provided by publisher.

Discusses how technologies such as GPS and GoogleEarth have hindered the human sense of direction, and describes how various animal species have an innate ability for navigation.