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 5 experiments and is designed to determine how the head direction signal is derived and processed from known sensory inputs. The question being asked is: how is primary sensory information, entering over various sensory pathways, transformed into a signal which represents the animal's directional orientation with respect to its environment? The second aim will better define the underlying anatomical connections within the HD cell system.
The third aim will determine how visual landmark spatial information is processed in the brain.
The fourth aim seeks to understand the functional significance of the HD signals to the organism; that is, how does an animal use these cells for orientation and navigation? 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 Alzheimers 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.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS053907-13
Application #
7262479
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-A (04))
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
1992-09-15
Project End
2009-07-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$350,608
Indirect Cost
Name
Dartmouth College
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041027822
City
Hanover
State
NH
Country
United States
Zip Code
03755
Yoder, Ryan M; Chan, Jeremy H M; Taube, Jeffrey S (2017) Acetylcholine contributes to the integration of self-movement cues in head direction cells. Behav Neurosci 131:312-24
Butler, William N; Smith, Kyle S; van der Meer, Matthijs A A et al. (2017) The Head-Direction Signal Plays a Functional Role as a Neural Compass during Navigation. Curr Biol 27:1259-1267
Peck, James R; Taube, Jeffery S (2017) The postrhinal cortex is not necessary for landmark control in rat head direction cells. Hippocampus 27:156-168
Todd, Travis P; Mehlman, Max L; Keene, Christopher S et al. (2016) Retrosplenial cortex is required for the retrieval of remote memory for auditory cues. Learn Mem 23:278-88
Valerio, Stephane; Taube, Jeffrey S (2016) Head Direction Cell Activity Is Absent in Mice without the Horizontal Semicircular Canals. J Neurosci 36:741-54
Winter, Shawn S; Mehlman, Max L; Clark, Benjamin J et al. (2015) Passive Transport Disrupts Grid Signals in the Parahippocampal Cortex. Curr Biol 25:2493-502
Yoder, Ryan M; Peck, James R; Taube, Jeffrey S (2015) Visual landmark information gains control of the head direction signal at the lateral mammillary nuclei. J Neurosci 35:1354-67
Winter, Shawn S; Clark, Benjamin J; Taube, Jeffrey S (2015) Spatial navigation. Disruption of the head direction cell network impairs the parahippocampal grid cell signal. Science 347:870-874
Butler, William N; Taube, Jeffrey S (2015) The nucleus prepositus hypoglossi contributes to head direction cell stability in rats. J Neurosci 35:2547-58
Shinder, M E; Taube, J S (2014) Resolving the active versus passive conundrum for head direction cells. Neuroscience 270:123-38

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