Hippocampal dysfunction in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A functional neuroimaging study of a visuospatial paired associates learning task

► Paired associates learning in MCI was measured behavioural and BOLD response as dependent measures. ► Hippocampi in MCI significantly more activated than controls at low loads and less at higher loads. ► No other differences between groups in the overall neural network during encoding or retrieval. ► Both hyperactivation and hypoactivation in the same individuals as a function of memory load.