Cited by 1,003Memory and Neural MechanismsNeural dynamics and brain functionSpatial Cognition and Navigation

Neural ensembles in CA3 transiently encode paths forward of the animal at a decision point

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Johnson, Adam, Redish, A. David·2007·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Neural ensembles were recorded from the CA3 region of rats running on T-based decision tasks. Examination of neural representations of space at fast time scales revealed a transient but repeatable phenomenon as rats made a decision: the location reconstructed from the neural ensemble swept forward, first down one path and then the other. Estimated representations were coherent and preferentially swept ahead of the animal rather than behind the animal, implying it represented future possibilities rather than recently traveled paths. Similar phenomena occurred at other important decisions (such as in recovery from an error). Local field potentials from these sites contained pronounced theta and gamma frequencies, but no sharp wave frequencies. Forward-shifted spatial representations were influenced by task demands and experience. These data suggest that the hippocampus does not represent space as a passive computation, but rather that hippocampal spatial processing is an active process likely regulated by cognitive mechanisms.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.3761-07.2007

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90 of 90 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • These forward sweeps are consistent with the idea that the subject is engaged in some form of deliberation regarding its future potential states and the worth thereof, for instance, being correlated with the subject's ultimate choices.

    “They do so in a manner consistent with the idea that the subject is engaged in some form of deliberation regarding its future potential states and the worth thereof (Johnson and Redish, 2007; Pfeiffer and Foster, 2013; van der Meer and Redish, 2009), for instance, being correlated with the subject’s ultimate choices.”

    From Goals and Habits in the Brain (2013) · cites this paper as Johnson and Redish, 2007

  • At decision points such as a branch point in a maze, hippocampal place cell responses can be observed to sweep forward from the actual location of the subject.

    “In particular, at decision points such as a branch point in a maze, hippocampal place cell responses can be observed to sweep forward from the actual location of the subject.”

    From Goals and Habits in the Brain (2013) · cites this paper as Johnson and Redish, 2007

  • There is now an accumulating wealth of reports of the sort of neural response profile that would be predicted if an animal is evaluating a menu of internally represented actions and their consequences at critical decision points.

    “Along with these human studies, there is now an accumulating wealth of reports of the sort of neural response profile that would be predicted if indeed an animal is evaluating a menu of internally represented actions and their consequences at critical decision points.”

    From Goals and Habits in the Brain (2013) · cites this paper as Johnson and Redish, 2007

  • Research on place cells has shown that the rat hippocampus consistently engages in retrieving previous experiences during pauses in waking behaviours.

    “research on place cells has shown that the rat hippocampus consistently engages in retrieving previous experiences during pauses in waking behaviours [116,118–120].”

    From Is episodic-like memory <i>like</i> episodic memory? (2024) · cites this paper as [120]

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1 of the 91 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Pavlov I (1927) Conditioned reflexes. Oxford: Oxford UP.

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Authors
Johnson, A., & Redish, A. D.
Affiliations
University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Redish, A. David
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2007-11-07
Volume
27
Issue
45
Pages
12176-12189
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2006760951
Cited by
1,003
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 51 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 64 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 64 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 67 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 58 · 2015: 65 · 2014: 61 · 2013: 45 · 2012: 37
FWCI
15.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Minnesota
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH06829)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (T32HD007151)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
Keywords
CA3, hippocampus, neuronal ensembles, spatial representation, decision-making, path encoding, local field potentials, theta oscillations, gamma oscillations, error recovery, rats
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Animals, Choice Behavior, Decision Making, Hippocampus, Male, Nerve Net, Neural Pathways, Rats, Inbred BN, Rats, Inbred F344, Spatial Behavior, Time Factors, Maze Learning, Rats

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