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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Published on: January 3, 2017

Cholinergic modulation of spatial learning, memory and navigation.

Nicola Solari¹, Balázs Hangya¹

¹Lendület Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.

The European Journal of Neuroscience

|July 29, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores the brain

Keywords:

acetylcholine basal forebrain hippocampus posterior parietal cortex retrosplenial cortex

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Modeling the Functional Network for Spatial Navigation in the Human Brain

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Published on: October 13, 2023

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Neurobiology

Background:

Spatial learning and navigation depend on a complex network of brain structures.
Key areas include the hippocampus, posterior parietal cortex, and retrosplenial cortex.
The medial septum of the basal forebrain (BF) provides crucial cholinergic input to the hippocampus.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the division of labor within the brain's navigation system.
To investigate the role of subcortical cholinergic inputs in spatial cognition.
To highlight the less-understood posterior basal forebrain (BF) to neocortical pathways.

Main Methods:

Review of existing scientific literature on spatial learning and navigation.
Analysis of studies focusing on the septo-hippocampal pathway.
Examination of research on the posterior basal forebrain (BF) to neocortical projections.

Main Results:

The hippocampus is central to spatial memory and navigation.
Neocortical areas like the posterior parietal and retrosplenial cortex are also vital.
The role of posterior basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic projections to neocortex is under-investigated.

Conclusions:

Understanding the interplay between different brain regions is key to spatial cognition.
Further research is needed on the posterior basal forebrain (BF) pathways.
Cholinergic inputs significantly regulate spatial learning, memory, and navigation.