Hippocampal Volume Shrinks (IMAGE) Washington University School of Medicine Caption An MRI scan highlights the hippocampus (pink) in a child's brain. Washington University researchers found that poor children with parents who were not very nurturing were likely to have a smaller hippocampus than those raised by more attentive parents. Credit Washington University Early Emotional Development Program Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.