The generalized spatial representation in the prefrontal cortex is inherited from the hippocampus

Abstract

Hippocampal and neocortical neural activity is modulated by the position of the individual in space. While hippocampal neurons provide the basis for a spatial map, prefrontal cortical neurons generalize over environmental features. Whether these generalized representations result from a bidirectional interaction with, or are mainly derived from hippocampal spatial representations is not known. By examining simultaneously recorded hippocampal and medial prefrontal neurons, we observed that prefrontal spatial representations show a delayed coherence with hippocampal ones. We also identified subpopulations of cells in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex that formed functional cross-area couplings; these resembled the optimal connections predicted by a probabilistic model of spatial information transfer and generalization. Moreover, cross-area couplings were strongest and had the shortest delay preceding spatial decision-making. Our results suggest that generalized spatial coding in the medial prefrontal cortex is inherited from spatial representations in the hippocampus, and that the routing of information can change dynamically with behavioral demands.

Synchronization of the prefrontal cortex with the hippocampus and posterior parietal cortex is navigation strategy-dependent during spatial learning

“…Spatial information from the HPC is transmitted to the mPFC (Nishimura et al, 2021), which synchronizes with the firing of prefrontal neurons (Bota et al, 2021;Nardin et al, 2021;Tang et al, 2017). Interestingly, whereas hippocampal representation of space remains specific, prefrontal spatial maps generalize across environments (Tang et al, 2023).…”

“…These items of information are represented by neural spiking in the HPC and PPC, respectively (Alexander et al, 2022; Buzsáki & Moser, 2013; Orban et al, 2021; Whitlock, 2017), structures that are anatomically connected with the mPFC (Jay & Witter, 1991; Kolb & Walkey, 1987; Swanson, 1981; Zingg et al, 2014). Spatial information from the HPC is transmitted to the mPFC (Nishimura et al, 2021), which synchronizes with the firing of prefrontal neurons (Bota et al, 2021; Nardin et al, 2021; Tang et al, 2017). Interestingly, whereas hippocampal representation of space remains specific, prefrontal spatial maps generalize across environments (Tang et al, 2023).…”