MindTalks: From vision to navigation and back (Prof. Dr. Matteo Carandini)

Abstract

Vision provides crucial guidance to navigation, and this guidance is a key function of the visual system. The communication between visual system and navigation system, however, appears to operate also in the opposite direction, with navigation strongly influencing vision. We recorded from populations of neurons in mice that navigate virtual environments and found modulation by spatial position in neurons throughout the visual cortex, including primary visual cortex (but not in its thalamic afferents). These navigational signals correlate with those in the hippocampus, and reflect the animal’s own estimate of position acquired through both vision and idiothetic cues. They are perhaps strongest in the parietal cortex, where cells respond to vision only during navigation. Position signals, therefore, appear remarkably early in the visual system and permeate its operation. Various properties of these signals, including modulation by hippocampal theta oscillations, suggest that they originate in the hippocampus or associated regions of the navigational system. This talk centers on work by Aman Saleem, Julien Fournier, and Mika Diamanti.

 

We are looking forward to your participation!

Due to the current Corona situation, all events in the summer semester 2021 will be held virtually via the ‘Zoom’ platform, as in the past winter semester 2020/2021. We recommend installing the Zoom client, but participation is also possible alternatively and with limited functionality via the web browser. The following links will lead you to the event:

(a) via Zoom client:

https://uni-bremen.zoom.us/j/97394163228?pwd=T0hUaEk5WGN2Ty9rYmVZTzUrRG9idz09

b) via web browser:

https://uni-bremen.zoom.us/wc/join/97394163228?wpk=wcpk82e8214e3f58c1d83e4b8e0a675e4c35

Meeting ID: 973 9416 3228
Passcode/Meeting ID: SPQ2i6

 

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