Role of orientation and surface properties in spatial learning

人类的海马体在记忆中起着至关重要的作用，尤其是情节记忆。在动物身上，这种结构对空间学习和记忆至关重要。我的研究计划的主要目标是了解动物在空间学习和导航中使用的行为策略，最终目标是找到不同物种海马体功能的共同点。动物有多种策略可以在它们的空间环境中定位自己和其他物体。他们可以接近预测目标位置的单一线索(即信标)，他们可以使用环境中多个线索之间的关系，他们可以向特定方向(即，西)前进，他们可以使用在自我移动过程中获得的信息(路径整合)，或者他们可以使用其环境的形状/几何形状。我最近的研究表明，仪器的方位(或方向)和表面特性对成功的空间学习尤为重要。本研究提案的目的是了解这些因素如何相互作用，从而在动物身上产生成功的导航。

The human hippocampus plays a vital role in memory, particularly episodic memory. In animals, this same structure is critical for spatial learning and memory. The main goal of my research program is to understand the behavioral strategies used by animals in spatial learning and navigation, with the ultimate goal of finding commonalities in hippocampal function across species. Animals have a variety of strategies available to locate themselves and other objects in their spatial environment. They can approach a single cue (i.e., beacon) that predicts the location of a goal, they can use the relationship among multiple cues in the environment, they can go in a particular direction (i.e., west), they can use information obtained in the process of self-movement (path integration), or they can use the shape/geometry of their environment. My recent work suggests that orientation (or direction) and surface properties of an apparatus are particularly important to successful spatial learning. The aim of the present research proposal is to understand how these factors interact to produce successful navigation in animals.