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Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. Marcelego Nenckiego PAN
Contributor:Czajkowski, Rafał (1976- ) : Supervisor
Publisher:Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. Marcelego Nenckiego PAN
Place of publishing: Date issued/created: Description:158 pages : illustrations ; 30 cm ; Bibliography ; Summary in English
Degree name: Degree discipline : Degree grantor:Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS ; degree obtained: 27.06.2025
Type of object: Subject and Keywords:Navigation ; Spatial memory ; c-Fos ; Retrosplenial cortex (RSC) ; Hippocampus (HPC)
Abstract:
Spatial navigation represents one of the fundamental aspects of animal life. Determining one's position in the environment, selecting optimal exploratory and goal-directed navigation strategies, as well as recognizing previously encountered locations, are processes mediated by the coordinated activity of various brain regions. The neuronal interaction between the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) and the hippocampus (HPC) plays a crucial role in the integration of external and internal stimuli, forming the functional basis of an organism's navigational abilities. This study presents a novel behavioral model for studying spatial memory in mice, focusing on the integration of visual cues and the role of training strategies in navigation processes. The automation of the experimental system significantly increased the number of analyzed animals, eliminated human bias and ensured high reproducibility and stability of experimental conditions. Exposing mice on different training strategies reveal the ability of mice to form associations between visual cues and directional choices. This effect could be achieved using two different training protocols: prolonged alternation training, or a flexible protocol with unpredictable turn succession. Based on the c-Fos mapping I also provide evidence of opposing levels of engagement of HPC and RSC after training of mice in these two different regimens. Functional differences in activity were observed along the anterior-posterior axis of the RSC, with increased HPC activity noted in animals exposed to flexible training regimes. The assessment of the availability of differentiated visual cues confirmed that mice are capable of making effective navigational decisions based on both, a full set of cues and under conditions of limited availability of a single cue type. An individual reference point exerted a dominant influence on the navigation process. It was manifested in higher navigational performance. Under selective availability of the individual cue, significantly increased activity was observed in the rRSA. Inactivation of the retrosplenial cortex did not significantly affect navigation processes based on spatial cues. The conducted research not only provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of spatial memory but also introduces a novel research tool that can be applied in studies of memory impairments and decision-making processes in navigation.
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Copyright holder:Publication made available with the written permission of the author
Digitizing institution:Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Original in:Library of the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS
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