Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
09:45
Preparation of Parasagittal Slices for the Investigation of Dorsal-ventral Organization of the Rodent Medial Entorhinal Cortex
Published on: March 28, 2012
15.8K
Functional network topography of the medial entorhinal cortex
Horst A Obenhaus1,2, Weijian Zong3,2, R Irene Jacobsen3,2
1Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7030, Norway; horst.obenhaus@ntnu.no edvard.moser@ntnu.no.
Summary
Grid cells in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) form distinct anatomical clusters, separate from head-direction (HD), border, and object-vector (OV) cells. This suggests specialized networks for spatial mapping.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) is crucial for spatial navigation, utilizing various cell types like grid, head-direction (HD), border, and object-vector (OV) cells.
- The precise anatomical organization of these spatially modulated neurons within the MEC remains largely undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the topographic arrangement and co-occurrence patterns of different spatially modulated cell types in the MEC.
- To understand the network architecture underlying spatial representation in the MEC.
Main Methods:
- Utilized miniaturized, portable two-photon microscopy for in vivo imaging of neuronal activity in freely moving mice.
- Recorded from superficial layers of the MEC and adjacent parasubiculum during open-field exploration.
Main Results:
- Grid cells showed anatomical clustering and low co-occurrence with OV cells.
- Border, HD, and OV cells displayed a tendency to intermingle.
- Grid cells appear anatomically segregated from border, HD, and OV cells.
Conclusions:
- Grid cell networks may be largely distinct from those of border, HD, and OV cells.
- Grid cells exhibit strong self-coupling but weaker connections with other spatial cell types in the MEC.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Olfaction
45.6K
The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
45.6K
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
6.6K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
6.6K
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
5.0K
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
5.0K
01:15Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
4.2K
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
4.2K
01:24Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
1.1K
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
1.1K