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Models of grid cell spatial firing published 2005-2011
1Department of Psychology, Center for Memory and Brain, Boston University Boston, MA, USA.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|April 25, 2012
Summary
This review organizes computational models of grid cells, which form a hexagonal spatial code in the brain. These models offer metaphors to guide research into the entorhinal cortex
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Grid cells in the rat entorhinal cortex exhibit hexagonal spatial firing fields.
- Numerous computational models have been proposed to explain grid cell function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize existing computational models of grid cells.
- To organize models based on their mechanisms for position encoding, updating, readout, and synaptic learning.
- To present these models as metaphors for guiding future research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on grid cell models.
- Categorization of models based on functional mechanisms (encoding, updating, readout, learning).
- Focus on algorithmic-level descriptions (Marr's framework).
Main Results:
- Models are organized by their core mechanisms.
- Each model emphasizes different aspects of the grid cell system.
- Models are presented as potentially complementary metaphors rather than mutually exclusive theories.
Conclusions:
- Grid cell models provide valuable metaphors for understanding spatial navigation.
- A comprehensive understanding likely integrates insights from multiple models.
- MATLAB implementations are provided for researchers.
