Differential functions of the dorsal and intermediate regions of the hippocampus for optimal goal-directed navigation in VR space

Autor: Hyeri Hwang, Seung-Woo Jin, Inah Lee
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: eLife, Vol 13 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2050-084X
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.97114
Popis: Goal-directed navigation requires the hippocampus to process spatial information in a value-dependent manner, but its underlying mechanism needs to be better understood. Here, we investigated whether the dorsal (dHP) and intermediate (iHP) regions of the hippocampus differentially function in processing place and its associated value information. Rats were trained in a place-preference task involving reward zones with different values in a visually rich virtual reality environment where two-dimensional navigation was possible. Rats learned to use distal visual scenes effectively to navigate to the reward zone associated with a higher reward. Inactivation of both dHP and iHP with muscimol altered the efficiency and precision of wayfinding behavior, but iHP inactivation induced more severe damage, including impaired place preference. Our findings suggest that the iHP is more critical for value-dependent navigation toward higher-value goal locations.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals