We have a new paper which explores the spatial functions of the rostral thalamus, a complex group of thalamic nuclei. Here, we concentrate on analysing the functions of three of these nuclei (the anteromedial nucleus, the parataenial nucleus and nucleus reuniens). We show that there are place cells, head direction cells, and border/perimeter cells present in these nuclei.… Read More
Tag: Head direction cells
Decoding signal processing in thalamo-hippocampal circuitry: implications for theories of memory and spatial processing.
Our latest paper, focusing on signals afferent to the hippocampal formation as determinants of hippocampal dynamics, and therefore memory and spatial cognition [download]. Brain Res. 2014 Dec 9. pii: S0006-8993(14)01672-2. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2014.12.003. Decoding signal processing in thalamo-hippocampal circuitry: implications for theories of memory and spatial processing. Tsanov M, O׳Mara SM Highlights Thalamo-hippocampal projections are vital for episodic… Read More
Decoding signal processing in thalamo-hippocampal circuitry: implications for theories of memory and spatial processing
Decoding signal processing in thalamo-hippocampal circuitry: implications for theories of memory and spatial processing Marian Tsanov and Shane M. O’Mara Our latest paper. Highlights • Thalamo-hippocampal projections are vital for episodic memory formation. • There is extensive connectivity between these structures. • We examine the signals processed within this circuitry. • We focus on head… Read More
Please RT: Immediate Postdoctoral Fellowship Vacancy in Behavioural Neurophysiology at Trinity College Dublin
Wellcome Trust-Funded Project focused on freely-moving recordings in vivo. Exciting, scientifically compelling and mature project, with plenty of room for development. Experience of electrophysiology/neurophysiology is essential; experience in freely-moving recordings is desirable. The ideal candidate will possess high levels of intellectual curiosity, drive and motivation. Fully equipped lab with ample technical and analytic back-up. The… Read More
The irregular firing properties of thalamic head direction cells mediate turn-specific modulation of the directional tuning curve
Take-home message: Anterior thalamic head direction cells are interesting in all sorts of ways. Here, we show that head direction cells remain active during sleep (how interesting is that?!), replicate the finding that these cells fire at different rates depending on whether the head makes clockwise or counterclockwise movements, and that the origin of this difference might… Read More
Nucleus reuniens of the thalamus contains head direction cells | eLife
Nucleus reuniens of the thalamus contains head direction cells | eLife. Maciej M Jankowski, Md Nurul Islam, Nicholas F Wright, Seralynne D Vann, Jonathan T Erichsen, John P Aggleton, Shane M O’Mara DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03075 Cite as eLife 2014;10.7554/eLife.03075 Abstract Discrete populations of brain cells signal heading direction, rather like a compass. These ‘head direction’ cells… Read More
Theta-modulated head direction cells in the rat anterior thalamus.
Take-home message – two key findings: (1) there are head-direction cells in the anteroventral thalamus (head direction cells fire when the head is pointed in a particular orientation); (2) a large fraction of these cells are theta-modulated (a strong 7-12 Hz oscillation in the EEG, studied most frequently in the hippocampal formation). These data are interesting because they suggests that the anterior thalamus… Read More
