Medial entorhinal cortex mediates learning of context-dependent interval timing behavior.

ABSTRACT: Episodic memory requires encoding the temporal structure of experience and relies on brain circuits in the medial temporal lobe, including the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). Recent studies have identified MEC 'time cells', which fire at specific moments during interval timing tasks, collectively tiling the entire timing period. It has been hypothesized that MEC time cells could provide temporal information necessary for episodic memories, yet it remains unknown whether they display learning dynamics required for encoding different temporal contexts. To explore this, we developed a new behavioral paradigm requiring mice to distinguish temporal contexts. Combined with methods for cellular resolution calcium imaging, we found that MEC time cells display context-dependent neural activity that

SUBMITTER: Bigus ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12500176 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature