Explicit memory creation during sleep demonstrates a causal role of place cells in navigation

Nat Neurosci. 2015 Apr;18(4):493-5. doi: 10.1038/nn.3970. Epub 2015 Mar 9.

Abstract

Hippocampal place cells assemblies are believed to support the cognitive map, and their reactivations during sleep are thought to be involved in spatial memory consolidation. By triggering intracranial rewarding stimulations by place cell spikes during sleep, we induced an explicit memory trace, leading to a goal-directed behavior toward the place field. This demonstrates that place cells' activity during sleep still conveys relevant spatial information and that this activity is functionally significant for navigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / cytology
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / physiology*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medial Forebrain Bundle / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Reward
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Spatial Memory / physiology*
  • Spatial Navigation / physiology*