Differential Encoding of Odor and Place in the Mouse Piriform and Entorhinal Cortex

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Olfactory system research
• Spatial navigation

Background:

• Integrating olfactory and spatial cues is vital for animal behavior.
• The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) connects olfactory and hippocampal regions, suggesting a role in odor-place associations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the piriform cortex (PCx) and LEC encode olfactory and spatial information.
• To compare the differential encoding of odor cues and spatial context along the PCx-LEC pathway.

Main Methods:

• In vivo neural recordings using miniendoscopes in mice.
• Decoding odor identity and spatial position from ensemble activity in PCx and LEC.
• Analysis of neural activity in head-fixed and freely navigating mice.

Main Results:

• Odor identity was decodable from LEC, but less accurately than from PCx.
• In freely navigating mice, LEC activity at odor ports was primarily spatial.
• Both LEC and PCx encoded spatial position, but PCx showed stronger behavior-driven modulation.

Conclusions:

• The PCx and LEC differentially encode olfactory and spatial information.
• LEC ensembles are more dominated by spatial information during navigation.
• Distinct roles for PCx and LEC in processing sensory and contextual cues emerge.