Domoic Acid Brain Damage (IMAGE) University of California - Santa Cruz Caption Damage to the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory, is often seen in sea lions with domoic acid poisoning. Left: a normal California sea lion brain section. Right: California sea lion brain that has been affected by domoic acid exposure -- notice the shrunken hippocampus in the center of the brain section. Credit © The Marine Mammal Center Usage Restrictions For use only with news coverage of this research 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.