Modeling suggests that sparse #CA3 input can speed up #learning of new #SpatialMaps, while dense #CA1 coding provides a more efficient, compressed representation for large-scale #navigation.
🧵2/2
#Neuroscience #Hippocampus #SpatialNavigation #NeuralDynamics
New paper by Maimon et al (Ulanovsky lab): recordings from #bats flying through tunnels up to 200 m reveal a sparse-to-dense transformation between #hippocampal #CA3 and #CA1.
In small environments, CA3 and CA1 #PlaceCells look similar. At large spatial scales, however, CA3 #neurons mostly show single, ultrasparse #PlaceFields, while CA1 neurons show dense multifield coding.
🌍 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10537-0
🧵1/2
#Neuroscience #Hippocampus #SpatialNavigation #NeuralDynamics
#SpatialCognition question: any studies that show that if you learn a response (e.g. "turn left at choice point) in one environment, you are more likely to repeat this response in a new environment?
So, "response #generalisation" ?
I'm pretty sure this is a thing but can't find a good study to cite about it...
🧠 New study by Asumbisa, Peyrache & Trenholm (2025): Stereo #olfaction underlies stable #coding of #HeadDirection in blind mice. Inhibiting #odor detection in just one nostril, or removing the spatial difference in airflow, disrupts head direction cell tuning and impairs mice’s spatial orientation → stereo smell is essential for using olfactory cues to form a stable, #allocentric sense of direction.
People who use rats in #SpatialCognition tasks, or decision-making tasks, which strain do you prefer? 🐀
(Ideally, please comment on why!)
(Multiple choices possible if you really have to)
Old navigation papers always have hidden gems in them..
"This training period was marked by only two events of unusual interest. The first was an electric storm which occurred during the 18th trial. Thunder and lightning were almost incessant throughout this trial period. A large tree near the building was shattered by lightning. On this trial there was a great increase in average time, and a slight increase in the average number of errors. The other event, which occurred at the 22nd trial, was an unusually hot day-mercury at 103 F. The rats seemed almost overcome, and, upon being placed in the water, would float for a considerable length of time before starting to swim down the maze pathway. The average time was greatly increased. The errors, however, did not increase appreciably."
Source: The Rôle of Kinaesthesis in the Establishment and Control of the Maze Habit by Sol Evans, @johnwidloski pointed me to it
New #FosterLab preprint, looking very interesting, as usual:
Replay without sharp wave ripples in a spatial memory task
#HippocampalReplay #HippocampalRipples #Hippocampus #SpatialNavigation #Need2Read
Songs that are about #science are great - like this one about gender differences in spatial navigation.
Fabrizio Musacchio
Inkican
El Duvelle Neuro
PLOS Biology
Fabrizio Musacchio
Rihards Olups