Ternary representation of contextual information along the CA1 transverse axis

Abstract

AbstractThe CA1 region in the rat hippocampus exhibits a transverse organization, aligning with topographical input profiles from the entorhinal cortex and CA3-CA2 regions. This study investigated how CA1 neurons respond to various contextual changes along the transverse axis. Neuronal activity was monitored across the entire proximodistal extent of the CA1 region in Long-Evans rats under manipulations of spatial or non-spatial environmental cues. Results identified three distinct patterns of cue representation that varied from the proximal to distal end of the CA1 region: a descending gradient in spatial information processing, an ascending gradient in the representation of local object features, and a reverse J-shaped pattern in response to non-spatial cue manipulation. These heterogeneous patterns of neuronal activity are mutually independent, and closely linked to the nature of information altered in the environment, suggesting the involvement of upstream cue-selective neurons in shaping the function of the CA1 region.