Place Cells, Grid Cells, and the Brain's Spatial Representation System

Abstract

More than three decades of research have demonstrated a role for hippocampal place cells in representation of the spatial environment in the brain. New studies have shown that place cells are part of a broader circuit for dynamic representation of self-location. A key component of this network is the entorhinal grid cells, which, by virtue of their tessellating firing fields, may provide the elements of a path integration-based neural map. Here we review how place cells and grid cells may form the basis for quantitative spatiotemporal representation of places, routes, and associated experiences during behavior and in memory. Because these cell types have some of the most conspicuous behavioral correlates among neurons in nonsensory cortical systems, and because their spatial firing structure reflects computations internally in the system, studies of entorhinal-hippocampal representations may offer considerable insight into general principles of cortical network dynamics.

Neurobiological foundations of an attribute model of memory

“…However, it should be noted that lesions of the dorsal lateral thalamus, pre-and para-subiculum, medial entorhinal cortex and preand infra-limbic cortex produce profound deficits similar to what has been described for hippocampal lesions, suggesting that other neural regions contribute to the spatial attribute within the event-based memory system . The exact contribution of each of these areas needs to be investigated, especially because grid cells have been recorded from medial entorhinal cortex (Moser et al 2008) and place cells have been recorded in the parasubiculum (Muller et al, 1996). …”

A brain-inspired SLAM system based on ORB features

“…These findings not only help us have a deeper understanding of brain "GPS" (global positioning system) [12] , but also trigger research on brain-inspired simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and relevant…”

Content Pragmatism Defended

“…In the decades that followed the original discovery of place cells, grid cells, head-direction cells and other processes that play a role in spatial representation and navigation have been found (cf. Moser et al, 2008). Bechtel's aim is to show, contra Egan, that the positing of representations, rather than working as a mere gloss, actually involves strong ontological commitments, drives new research endeavours, and deeply informs theorising in cognitive science.…”