Stellate Cells in the Medial Entorhinal Cortex Are Required for Spatial Learning.

ABSTRACT: Spatial learning requires estimates of location that may be obtained by path integration or from positional cues. Grid and other spatial firing patterns of neurons in the superficial medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) suggest roles in behavioral estimation of location. However, distinguishing the contributions of path integration and cue-based signals to spatial behaviors is challenging, and the roles of identified MEC neurons are unclear. We use virtual reality to dissociate linear path integration from other strategies for behavioral estimation of location. We find that mice learn to path integrate using motor-related self-motion signals, with accuracy that decreases steeply as a function of distance. We show that inactivation of stellate cells in superficial MEC impairs spatial learning in

SUBMITTER: Tennant SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5809635 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature