Mouse entorhinal cortex encodes a diverse repertoire of self-motion signals

Neural circuits generate representations of the external world from multiple information streams. The navigation system provides an exceptional lens through which we may gain insights about how such computations are implemented. Neural circuits in the medial temporal lobe construct a map-like representation of space that supports navigation. This computation integrates multiple sensory cues, and, in addition, is thought to require cues related to the individual's movement through the environment. Here, we identify multiple self-motion signals, related to the position and velocity of the head and eyes, encoded by neurons in a key node of the navigation circuitry of mice, the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). The representation of these signals is highly integrated with other cues in individual neurons. Such information could be used to compute the allocentric location of landmarks from visual cues and to generate internal representations of space. Here, the authors show that mouse medial entorhinal cortex encodes three-dimensional head movement as well as eye position and velocity. These self-motion signals are represented conjunctively in individual neurons alongside body position, running speed, and azimuthal head direction.

Automated summary

Neural circuits in the medial temporal lobe construct a map-like representation of space that supports navigation by integrating multiple sensory cues and cues related to the individual's movement through the environment. The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) encodes three-dimensional head movement, eye position, and velocity, alongside other self-motion signals in individual neurons, such as body position, running speed, and azimuthal head direction.