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Cortical Neurons Encoding Path and Place: Where You Go Is Where You Are
Michael T. Froehler,Charles J. Duffy*
We recorded neuronal activity in monkey medial superior temporal
(MST) cortex during movement on a motorized sled. Most neuronsshowed a preferred heading direction, but some responded onlywhen that
heading was part of a particular path. Others respondedonly when the
animal was at a certain place in the room, regardlessof its path to
that place. Video simulations of the self-movementscene evoked path,
but not place, responses. Stationary positioningin the room revealed
location preferences that matched place preferencesrecorded during
movement. We conclude that MST encodes heading,path, and place
information to support visuospatial orientation.
Departments of Neurology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Ophthalmology,
Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and the Center for Visual Science, The
University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
cjd{at}cvs.rochester.edu
