Journal home
Advance online publication
Current issue
Archive
Press releases
Supplements
Focuses
Guide to authors
Online submissionOnline submission
Permissions
For referees
Free online issue
Contact the journal
Subscribe
Advertising
work@npg
naturereprints
About this site
For librarians
 
NPG Resources
Nature
Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Nature Cell Biology
Nature Medicine
Neuroscience Gateway
UCSD-Nature Signaling Gateway
NPG Subject areas
Biotechnology
Cancer
Chemistry
Clinical Medicine
Dentistry
Development
Drug Discovery
Earth Sciences
Evolution & Ecology
Genetics
Immunology
Materials Science
Medical Research
Microbiology
Molecular Cell Biology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Physics
Browse all publications
Article
Nature Neuroscience  6, 609 - 615 (2003)
Published online: 28 April 2003; | doi:10.1038/nn1053

Hippocampal map realignment and spatial learning

Ephron S Rosenzweig1, A David Redish1, 5, Bruce L McNaughton1, 2, 3 & Carol A Barnes1, 2, 4

1  Arizona Research Laboratories, Division of Neural Systems, Memory, and Aging, 384 Life Sciences North, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.

2  Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.

3  Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.

4  Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.

5  Present address: Department of Neuroscience, 6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.

Correspondence should be addressed to Carol A Barnes carol@nsma.arizona.edu
The spatial selectivity of hippocampal neurons suggests that they contribute to an internal representation of current location. The activity of hippocampal pyramidal cells was recorded while adult (10−13 months old) and aged (24−28 months old) rats performed a task in which two spatial reference frames were put in conflict. Rats attempted to find an unmarked goal whose position was fixed relative to only one of the two reference frames. The ability of a rat's hippocampus to adjust to the conflicting information and use the 'correct' position estimate (hippocampal map 'realignment') was correlated with the rat's ability to find the hidden goal. In addition, aged rats were impaired relative to adult rats in both goal-finding accuracy and map realignment. Thus, changes in the effectiveness with which the hippocampal spatial representation is updated on the basis of external cues may contribute to both within-age-group spatial learning variability and age-related spatial learning deficits.

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated

REVIEWS
Memory use in insect visual navigation
Nature Reviews Neuroscience Review (01 Jul 2002)

NEWS AND VIEWS
Aging, spatial behavior and the cognitive map
Nature Neuroscience News and Views (01 Jun 2003)
Cognitive neuroscience: Learning how the brain learns
Nature News and Views (01 Jun 2000)

RESEARCH
Abeta peptide immunization reduces behavioural impairment and plaques in a model of Alzheimer's disease
Nature Letters to Editor (21 Dec 2000)
Multistability of cognitive maps in the hippocampus of old rats
Nature Letters to Editor (17 Jul 1997)

 Top
Abstract
Previous | Next
Table of contents
Full textFull text
Download PDFDownload PDF
Send to a friendSend to a friend
Save this linkSave this link

Open Innovation Challenges

naturejobs

Figures & Tables
See also: News and Views by Wood & Dudchenko
Export citation
natureproducts

Search buyers guide:

 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
Nature Neuroscience
ISSN: 1097-6256
EISSN: 1546-1726
Journal home | Advance online publication | Current issue | Archive | Press releases | Supplements | Focuses | For authors | Online submission | Permissions | For referees | Free online issue | About the journal | Contact the journal | Subscribe | Advertising | work@npg | naturereprints | About this site | For librarians
Nature Publishing Group, publisher of Nature, and other science journals and reference works©2003 Nature Publishing Group | Privacy policy