Neural mechanisms for navigation in large space

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24500377
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neuroscience in general
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: TAIRA Masato 東京医科歯科大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 教授 (50179397)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KATSUYAMA Narumi 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 助教 (00291906)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ニホンザル / 海馬傍回 / 頭頂葉内側面 / 風景情報 / 運動指示

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neural mechanisms for navigation in large space were investigated. We have already found navigation neurons in the medial parietal region (MPR) and the parahippocampal cortex (PHC), and investigated the properties of MPR neurons. In this study, we preciously investigated the properties of PHC neuros, and compared with those of MPR neurons. We found that MPR neuros more related to motor aspects of navigation, instruction of the proper direction of movement. On the other hand, PHC neuros more related to perceptual aspects of navigation, such as scene recognition.

Free Research Field

神経生理学