It is well-known that the hippocampus is necessary for the formation of new memories.It is also well-known that in times of stress, hippocampal functioning in rodents and humans is inhibited.This finding has been interpreted to indicate that there is an absence of hippocampal involvement in the formation of traumatic memories.I will incorporate findings from rodent and human research to provide an alternative interpretation of the literature.I will suggest that traumatic experiences produce a relatively brief and intense activation of amygdala-hippocampal circuitry, with a concomitant suppression of neocortical functioning, which helps to explain the unique and fragmentary nature of traumatic memories.This perspective on how stress affects the hippocampus, amygdala and neocortex is potentially relevant toward understanding how traumatic experiences generate long-lasting intrusive memories which are highly resistant to extinction.