Neural Basis for Spatial Cognition

项目总结/摘要 该研究计划描述了一系列实验，将研究空间信息是如何 在哺乳动物的大脑中进行处理。在以前的研究中，在大脑中发现了一群神经元， 丘脑前乳头核与海马结构轴之间的放电功能 动物的头部方向（HD），独立于动物的行为和空间位置。这 空间信号提供了一个模型系统，用于检查初级感觉信息，进入 通过各种感觉通路，被转换成一个“更高层次的认知信号”， 生物体与环境的空间关系。实现这一点的机制 在中枢神经系统中的转化是未知的。第一个目标包括四个实验 并且被设计为确定如何从已知的感觉输入导出和处理HD信号。 研究将集中在脑干和乳头核的皮质下区域。第二个目标将 确定在内侧内嗅皮层中参与产生网格细胞信号的大脑区域。的 第三个目标是解决两个皮质下大脑区域的作用，这两个区域参与产生HD信号 在执行路径整合空间任务中。总之，这些研究将提供洞察空间如何 信息是在大脑中组织和处理的，这将增强我们对大脑的理解。 HD细胞在导航过程中的功能作用。这些结果将对人类健康产生影响， 行为这是常见的老年患者和老年痴呆症患者，一种疾病往往 与边缘系统结构中的显著病理学相关，经历空间定向障碍， 这就需要不断的监督。学习空间信息是如何在大鼠中处理的 大脑将为我们提供人类空间过程复杂性的线索。

Project Summary/Abstract The Research Plan describes a series of experiments that will examine how spatial information is processed in the mammalian brain. In previous studies a population of neurons was identified within the mammillary nuclei  anterior thalamus  hippocampal formation axis that discharge as a function of the animal's head direction (HD), independent of the animal's behavior and spatial location. This spatial signal provides a model system for examining how primary sensory information, entering through various sensory pathways, is transformed into a "higher level cognitive signal" representing the organism's spatial relationship with its environment. The mechanisms that accomplish this transformation in the central nervous system are not known. The first aim contains four experiments and is designed to determine how the HD signal is derived and processed from known sensory inputs. Studies will focus on subcortical areas in the brainstem and mammillary nuclei. The second aim will determine the brain areas involved in generating the grid cell signal in medial entorhinal cortex. The third aim addresses the role of two subcortical brain areas that are involved in generating the HD signal in performing a path integration spatial task. In sum, these studies will provide insight into how spatial information is organized and processed in the brain and will enhance our understanding of the functional role of HD cells during navigation. The results will have implications for human health and behavior. It is common for elderly patients and patients with Alzheimer’s disease, a disease often associated with marked pathology in limbic system structures, to experience spatial disorientation to the extent that constant supervision is required. Learning how spatial information is processed in the rat brain will give us clues about the complex nature of spatial processes in humans.