How long is cat memory?

What are the two major functions of spatial cognitive maps?

two major functions of spatial cognitive maps. navigation. These capabilities rely on an allocentric own current position. process. This process allows an animal to memorize a location in relation to its own position. The goal tion. The egocentric coding process requires a path

Is the hippocampus a spatial map of learning?

The hippocampus as a spatial map. Preliminary evidence from unit activity in the freely-moving rat. A neural network model of spatial learning in the rat is developed that is capable of learning how to navigate to a hidden reward location based on realistic sensory input and is validated on a mobile robot.

Do other animals use cognitive maps?

Other than humans, cognitive maps are thought to be used by rats (Morris 1984), cats (Poucet 1985), birds (Poucet 2006), snakes, lizards, turtles (Broglio et al. 2015, p. 110) and fish (Broglio et al. 2015, p. 114;Braithwaite 2010, pp. 84-87).

Can rats form simple cognitive maps of their environment?

A neural network model of spatial learning in the rat is developed that is capable of learning how to navigate to a hidden reward location based on realistic sensory input and is validated on a mobile robot. The results suggest that under appropriate conditions rats are able to form simple cognitive maps of their environment.

Is hippocampal function split between memory and spatial cognition?

Later research has focused on trying to bridge the disconnect between the two main views of hippocampal function as being split between memory and spatial cognition. In some studies, these areas have been expanded to the point of near convergence.

What is the PMC code for spatial cognition?

PMC 6674885. PMID 17135403. Jacobs LF, Gaulin SJ, Sherry DF, Hoffman GE (Aug 1990). “Evolution of spatial cognition: sex-specific patterns of spatial behavior predict hippocampal size”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 87 (16): 6349–52.

What part of the brain controls response to visual stimulation in cats?

The brain-stem parabrachial region controls mode of response to visual stimulation of neurons in the cat’s lateral geniculate nucleus. Vis Neurosci. 1993;10:631–642.

What is the spatial topography of the hippocampus?

There is little, if any, spatial topography in the representation; in general, cells lying next to each other in the hippocampus have uncorrelated spatial firing patterns. Place cells are typically almost silent when a rat is moving around outside the place field but reach sustained rates as high as 40 Hz when the rat is near the center.

Do spatial and memory descriptions predict behavior in damaged hippocampal systems?

The predictive value of the spatial and memory descriptions were evaluated by testing rats with damage to the hippocampal system in a series of experiments, independently manipulating the spatial and memory characteristics of a behavioral task.

Is the hippocampus part of the LTP theory of learning and memory?

Its presence in the hippocampus is therefore compatible with an LTP-based theory of learning and memory.

Is the hippocampus a spatial map of the brain?

O’Keefe, J., and Dostrovsky, J. (1971) The hippocampus as a spatial map. Fieliminary evidence from unit activity in the freely moving rat Brain Research 34: 171 –75. CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

In rodents as model organisms, the hippocampus has been studied extensively as part of a brain system responsible for spatial memory and navigation.

Why don’t non-human animals have the same cognitive abilities as humans?

Non-human animals have their own unique solutions to their environment and cognitive processes we don’t fully understand. Consider that the cognitive abilities animals do have tend to meet their needs quite well. If other species had mental processes similar to ours, they would not have the capacity to deal with the demands their own complex world.

Can pet rats learn tricks?

Domesticated rats are very gentle and playful creatures. Like a pet dog, a pet rat can learn many tricks and can even respond to its own name. Pet rats can learn to sit up, fetch, jump through a hoop, and even walk on a tightrope. Additionally, rats can be taught to solve puzzles, run through mazes, and perform tricks.

How do rats learn to navigate to hidden reward locations?

Preliminary evidence from unit activity in the freely-moving rat. A neural network model of spatial learning in the rat is developed that is capable of learning how to navigate to a hidden reward location based on realistic sensory input and is validated on a mobile robot.

Does the hippocampus lateralize spatial memory functions in rats?

Hippocampal-dependent spatial memory functions might be lateralized in rats: An approach combining gene expression profiling and reversible inactivation. Hippocampus. 2009;19:800–816.

Does the cholinergic system modulate the hippocampal circuits in Alzheimer’s disease?

The cholinergic system is severely affected in Alzheimer’s disease, implicating its role in memory. In this review, the current knowledge on the cholinergic system and its modulation of hippocampal circuits have been reviewed. Furthermore, we describe factors that contribute to the complexity of ACh actions in memory function.

Why are the dorsal and ventral regions of the hippocampus different?

Differences in the connectivity of the dorsal and ventral portions of the hippocampus first lead anatomists to speculate that these two regions may serve different functions. The septal pole being better situated to communicate with brain regions associated with cognition and the temporal pole better situated to contribute to emotional reactions.

Is there a role for septohippocampal cholinergic projections in memory formation?

The selective lesion of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain significantly impairs hippocampus-dependent memory function, suggesting a role for septohippocampal cholinergic projections in memory formation ( Berger-Sweeney et al., 2001; Nilsson et al., 1992 ).

What is the function of the navigational cells in the hippocampus?

There are several navigational cells in the brain that are either in the hippocampus itself or are strongly connected to it, such as the speed cells present in the medial entorhinal cortex. Together these cells form a network that serves as spatial memory.

Where does the hippocampus get its input from?

The input to the hippocampus (from varying cortical and subcortical structures) comes from the entorhinal cortex via the perforant path. The entorhinal cortex (EC) is strongly and reciprocally connected with many cortical and subcortical structures as well as with the brainstem.

What part of the brain controls our vision?

From the thalamus, visual input travels to the visual cortex, located at the rear of our brains. The visual cortex is one of the most-studied parts of the mammalian brain, and it is here that the elementary building blocks of our vision – detection of contrast, colour and movement – are combined to produce our rich and complete visual perception.

What is the relationship between the hippocampus and the cortex?

Hippocampus and Related Structures. The hippocampus is a macroscopically defined cortical structure, present in the brain of all mammals. The cortex directly adjacent to the hippocampus, with which it has strong connectional relations, is generally referred to as the para (next-to) hippocampal region.

What part of the brain is the hippocampus?

The hippocampus includes the dentate granule neurons and the pyramidal neurons of cornu ammonis area CA1–CA3. The dentate granule is one of the very few regions where neurogenesis continues throughout the adult life.

What is the third important theory of hippocampal function?

The third important theory of hippocampal function relates the hippocampus to space. The spatial theory was originally championed by O’Keefe and Nadel, who were influenced by E.C. Tolman’s theories about “cognitive maps” in humans and animals.