Fig. 1.

Hippocampal volume difference of memory athletes vs. matches controls. Comparing the volumes of the hippocampi using mixed models showed two significant interactions: group with hemisphere (F _(1,44) = 5, p = 0.03) and group with position (anterior vs. posterior, F _(1,44) = 5.41, p = 0.025). The right hippocampus of athletes is larger compared to controls (MD 111.42, p = 0.021). Furthermore the anterior part is also relatively enlarged in athletes (MD 195.33, p = 0.016). Together, these two two-way interactions lead to the biggest volumetric difference being in the right anterior hippocampus. Error bars denote the standard error of the mean