RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Grid cell firing fields in a volumetric space
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2020.12.06.413542
DO 10.1101/2020.12.06.413542
A1 Grieves, Roddy M.
A1 Jedidi-Ayoub, Selim
A1 Mishchanchuk, Karyna
A1 Liu, Anyi
A1 Renaudineau, Sophie
A1 Duvelle, Éléonore
A1 Jeffery, Kate J.
YR 2020
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/12/07/2020.12.06.413542.abstract
AB We investigated how entorhinal grid cells represent volumetric (three-dimensional) space. On a flat surface, grid cell firing fields are circular and arranged in a close-packed hexagonal array. In three dimensions, theoretical and computational work suggests that the most efficient configuration would be a regular close packing of spherical fields. We report that in rats exploring a cubic lattice, grid cells were spatially stable and maintained normal directional modulation, theta modulation and spike dynamics. However, while the majority of grid fields were spherical, they were irregularly arranged, even when only fields abutting the lower surface (equivalent to the floor) were considered. Thus, grid organization is shaped by the environment’s movement affordances, and may not need to be regular to support spatial computations.One Sentence Summary In rats exploring a volumetric space, grid cells are spatially modulated but their firing fields are irregularly arranged.Competing Interest StatementThe Authors declare the following competing interests: K.J. is a non-shareholding director of Axona Ltd.