The Brain's Many Maps (IMAGE)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

The Brain's Many Maps

Caption

Spatial location is closely connected to the formation of new memories. Until now, grid cells were thought to be part of a single unified map system. New findings from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology demonstrate that the grid system is in fact composed of a number of independent grid maps, each with unique properties. Each map displays a particular resolution (mesh size), and responds independently to changes in the environment. A system of several distinct grid maps (illustrated on left) can support a large number of unique combinatorial codes used to associate new memories formed with specific spatial information (illustrated on right). The findings are published in the 6 December issue of the journal Nature and are a part of doctoral research conducted by Hanne Stensola (picture) and Tor Stensola at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience. Illustration: Tor Stensola.

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Illustration: Tor Stensola

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