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Karpov G, Lin MH, Headley DB, Baker TE. Oscillatory correlates of threat imminence during virtual navigation. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14551. [PMID: 38516942 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The Predatory Imminence Continuum Theory proposes that defensive behaviors depend on the proximity of a threat. While the neural mechanisms underlying this proposal are well studied in animal models, it remains poorly understood in humans. To address this issue, we recorded EEG from 24 (15 female) young adults engaged in a first-person virtual reality Risk-Reward interaction task. On each trial, participants were placed in a virtual room and presented with either a threat or reward conditioned stimulus (CS) in the same room location (proximal) or different room location (distal). Behaviorally, all participants learned to avoid the threat-CS, with most using the optimal behavior to actively avoid the proximal threat-CS (88% accuracy) and passively avoid the distal threat-CS (69% accuracy). Similarly, participants learned to actively approach the distal reward-CS (82% accuracy) and to remain passive to the proximal reward-CS (72% accuracy). At an electrophysiological level, we observed a general increase in theta power (4-8 Hz) over the right posterior channel P8 across all conditions, with the proximal threat-CS evoking the largest theta response. By contrast, distal cues induced two bursts of gamma (30-60 Hz) power over midline-parietal channel Pz (200 msec post-cue) and right frontal channel Fp2 (300 msec post-cue). Interestingly, the first burst of gamma power was sensitive to the distal threat-CS and the second burst at channel Fp2 was sensitive to the distal reward-CS. Together, these findings demonstrate that oscillatory processes differentiate between the spatial proximity information during threat and reward encoding, likely optimizing the selection of the appropriate behavioral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galit Karpov
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers State University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Mei-Heng Lin
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers State University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Drew B Headley
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers State University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Travis E Baker
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers State University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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2
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Griffiths BJ, Schreiner T, Schaefer JK, Vollmar C, Kaufmann E, Quach S, Remi J, Noachtar S, Staudigl T. Electrophysiological signatures of veridical head direction in humans. Nat Hum Behav 2024; 8:1334-1350. [PMID: 38710766 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-01872-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Information about heading direction is critical for navigation as it provides the means to orient ourselves in space. However, given that veridical head-direction signals require physical rotation of the head and most human neuroimaging experiments depend upon fixing the head in position, little is known about how the human brain is tuned to such heading signals. Here we adress this by asking 52 healthy participants undergoing simultaneous electroencephalography and motion tracking recordings (split into two experiments) and 10 patients undergoing simultaneous intracranial electroencephalography and motion tracking recordings to complete a series of orientation tasks in which they made physical head rotations to target positions. We then used a series of forward encoding models and linear mixed-effects models to isolate electrophysiological activity that was specifically tuned to heading direction. We identified a robust posterior central signature that predicts changes in veridical head orientation after regressing out confounds including sensory input and muscular activity. Both source localization and intracranial analysis implicated the medial temporal lobe as the origin of this effect. Subsequent analyses disentangled head-direction signatures from signals relating to head rotation and those reflecting location-specific effects. Lastly, when directly comparing head direction and eye-gaze-related tuning, we found that the brain maintains both codes while actively navigating, with stronger tuning to head direction in the medial temporal lobe. Together, these results reveal a taxonomy of population-level head-direction signals within the human brain that is reminiscent of those reported in the single units of rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Griffiths
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Thomas Schreiner
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia K Schaefer
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Vollmar
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kaufmann
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Quach
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Remi
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Soheyl Noachtar
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Staudigl
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
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3
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Satish A, Keller VG, Raza S, Fitzpatrick S, Horner AJ. Theta and alpha oscillations in human hippocampus and medial parietal cortex support the formation of location-based representations. Hippocampus 2024; 34:284-301. [PMID: 38520305 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Our ability to navigate in a new environment depends on learning new locations. Mental representations of locations are quickly accessible during navigation and allow us to know where we are regardless of our current viewpoint. Recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research using pattern classification has shown that these location-based representations emerge in the retrosplenial cortex and parahippocampal gyrus, regions theorized to be critically involved in spatial navigation. However, little is currently known about the oscillatory dynamics that support the formation of location-based representations. We used magnetoencephalogram (MEG) recordings to investigate region-specific oscillatory activity in a task where participants could form location-based representations. Participants viewed videos showing that two perceptually distinct scenes (180° apart) belonged to the same location. This "overlap" video allowed participants to bind the two distinct scenes together into a more coherent location-based representation. Participants also viewed control "non-overlap" videos where two distinct scenes from two different locations were shown, where no location-based representation could be formed. In a post-video behavioral task, participants successfully matched the two viewpoints shown in the overlap videos, but not the non-overlap videos, indicating they successfully learned the locations in the overlap condition. Comparing oscillatory activity between the overlap and non-overlap videos, we found greater theta and alpha/beta power during the overlap relative to non-overlap videos, specifically at time-points when we expected scene integration to occur. These oscillations localized to regions in the medial parietal cortex (precuneus and retrosplenial cortex) and the medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampus. Therefore, we find that theta and alpha/beta oscillations in the hippocampus and medial parietal cortex are likely involved in the formation of location-based representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akul Satish
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sumaiyah Raza
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Aidan J Horner
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
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4
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Steinkrauss AC, Slotnick SD. Is implicit memory associated with the hippocampus? Cogn Neurosci 2024; 15:56-70. [PMID: 38368598 DOI: 10.1080/17588928.2024.2315816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
According to the traditional memory-systems view, the hippocampus is critical during explicit (conscious) long-term memory, whereas other brain regions support implicit (nonconscious) memory. In the last two decades, some fMRI studies have reported hippocampal activity during implicit memory tasks. The aim of the present discussion paper was to identify whether any implicit memory fMRI studies have provided convincing evidence that the hippocampus is associated with nonconscious processes without being confounded by conscious processes. Experimental protocol and analysis parameters included the stimulus type(s), task(s), measures of subjective awareness, explicit memory accuracy, the relevant fMRI contrast(s) or analysis, and confound(s). A systematic review was conducted to identify implicit memory studies that reported fMRI activity in the hippocampus. After applying exclusion criteria, 13 articles remained for analysis. We found that there were no implicit memory fMRI studies where subjective awareness was absent, explicit memory performance was at chance, and there were no confounds that could have driven the observed hippocampal activity. The confounds included explicit memory (including false memory), imbalanced attentional states between conditions (yielding activation of the default-mode network), imbalanced stimuli between conditions, and differential novelty. As such, not a single fMRI study provided convincing evidence that implicit memory was associated with the hippocampus. Neuropsychological evidence was also considered, and implicit memory deficits were caused by factors known to disrupt brain regions beyond the hippocampus, such that the behavioral effects could not be attributed to this region. The present results indicate that implicit memory is not associated with the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley C Steinkrauss
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Scott D Slotnick
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
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Philippen S, Hanert A, Schönfeld R, Granert O, Yilmaz R, Jensen-Kondering U, Splittgerber M, Moliadze V, Siniatchkin M, Berg D, Bartsch T. Transcranial direct current stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction facilitates hippocampal spatial learning in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 157:48-60. [PMID: 38056370 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spatial memory deficits are an early symptom in Alzheimer's disease (AD), reflecting the neurodegenerative processes in the neuronal navigation network such as in hippocampal and parietal cortical areas. As no effective treatment options are available, neuromodulatory interventions are increasingly evaluated. Against this backdrop, we investigated the neuromodulatory effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on hippocampal place learning in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study with a cross-over design anodal tDCS of the right temporoparietal junction (2 mA for 20 min) was applied to 20 patients diagnosed with AD or MCI and in 22 healthy controls while they performed a virtual navigation paradigm testing hippocampal place learning. RESULTS We show an improved recall performance of hippocampal place learning after anodal tDCS in the patient group compared to sham stimulation but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that tDCS can facilitate spatial memory consolidation via stimulating the parietal-hippocampal navigation network in AD and MCI patients. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that tDCS of the temporoparietal junction may restore spatial navigation and memory deficits in patients with AD and MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Philippen
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - A Hanert
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - R Schönfeld
- Psychology Department, Halle University, Germany
| | - O Granert
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - R Yilmaz
- Dept. of Neurology, University of Ankara, Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - U Jensen-Kondering
- Dept. of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; Dept. of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - M Splittgerber
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Germany
| | - V Moliadze
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Germany
| | - M Siniatchkin
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Germany; Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center Bethel, University Clinics OWL, Bielefeld University, Germany
| | - D Berg
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - T Bartsch
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.
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Iggena D, Jeung S, Maier PM, Ploner CJ, Gramann K, Finke C. Multisensory input modulates memory-guided spatial navigation in humans. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1167. [PMID: 37963986 PMCID: PMC10646091 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05522-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient navigation is supported by a cognitive map of space. The hippocampus plays a key role for this map by linking multimodal sensory information with spatial memory representations. However, in human navigation studies, the full range of sensory information is often unavailable due to the stationarity of experimental setups. We investigated the contribution of multisensory information to memory-guided spatial navigation by presenting a virtual version of the Morris water maze on a screen and in an immersive mobile virtual reality setup. Patients with hippocampal lesions and matched controls navigated to memorized object locations in relation to surrounding landmarks. Our results show that availability of multisensory input improves memory-guided spatial navigation in both groups. It has distinct effects on navigational behaviour, with greater improvement in spatial memory performance in patients. We conclude that congruent multisensory information shifts computations to extrahippocampal areas that support spatial navigation and compensates for spatial navigation deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deetje Iggena
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sein Jeung
- Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Fasanenstraße 1, 10623, Berlin, Germany
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Olav Kyrres gate 9,7030, Trondheim, Norway
- Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstraße 1a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrizia M Maier
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph J Ploner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Gramann
- Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Fasanenstraße 1, 10623, Berlin, Germany
- University of California, San Diego, Center for Advanced Neurological Engineering, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Carsten Finke
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany
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7
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Baeuchl C, Glöckner F, Koch C, Petzold J, Schuck NW, Smolka MN, Li SC. Dopamine differentially modulates medial temporal lobe activity and behavior during spatial navigation in young and older adults. Neuroimage 2023; 273:120099. [PMID: 37037380 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with changes in spatial navigation behavior. In addition to an overall performance decline, older adults tend to rely more on proximal location cue information than on environmental boundary information during spatial navigation compared to young adults. The fact that older adults are more susceptible to errors during spatial navigation might be partly attributed to deficient dopaminergic modulation of hippocampal and striatal functioning. Hence, elevating dopamine levels might differentially modulate spatial navigation and memory performance in young and older adults. In this work, we administered levodopa (L-DOPA) in a double-blind within-subject, placebo-controlled design and recorded functional neuroimaging while young and older adults performed a 3D spatial navigation task in which boundary geometry or the position of a location cue were systematically manipulated. An age by intervention interaction on the neural level revealed an upregulation of brain responses in older adults and a downregulation of responses in young adults within the medial temporal lobe (including hippocampus and parahippocampus) and brainstem, during memory retrieval. Behaviorally, L-DOPA had no effect on older adults' overall memory performance; however, older adults whose spatial memory improved under L-DOPA also showed a shift towards more boundary processing under L-DOPA. In young adults, L-DOPA induced a decline in spatial memory performance in task-naïve participants. These results are consistent with the inverted-U-shaped hypothesis of dopamine signaling and cognitive function and suggest that increasing dopamine availability improves hippocampus-dependent place learning in some older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Baeuchl
- Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Franka Glöckner
- Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph Koch
- Max Planck Research Group NeuroCode, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany; International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course (LIFE), Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany; Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Aging Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Petzold
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicolas W Schuck
- Max Planck Research Group NeuroCode, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany; Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Aging Research, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Psychology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, German
| | - Michael N Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Shu-Chen Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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8
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Rolls ET, Deco G, Huang CC, Feng J. The human posterior parietal cortex: effective connectome, and its relation to function. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:3142-3170. [PMID: 35834902 PMCID: PMC10401905 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The effective connectivity between 21 regions in the human posterior parietal cortex, and 360 cortical regions was measured in 171 Human Connectome Project (HCP) participants using the HCP atlas, and complemented with functional connectivity and diffusion tractography. Intraparietal areas LIP, VIP, MIP, and AIP have connectivity from early cortical visual regions, and to visuomotor regions such as the frontal eye fields, consistent with functions in eye saccades and tracking. Five superior parietal area 7 regions receive from similar areas and from the intraparietal areas, but also receive somatosensory inputs and connect with premotor areas including area 6, consistent with functions in performing actions to reach for, grasp, and manipulate objects. In the anterior inferior parietal cortex, PFop, PFt, and PFcm are mainly somatosensory, and PF in addition receives visuo-motor and visual object information, and is implicated in multimodal shape and body image representations. In the posterior inferior parietal cortex, PFm and PGs combine visuo-motor, visual object, and reward input and connect with the hippocampal system. PGi in addition provides a route to motion-related superior temporal sulcus regions involved in social interactions. PGp has connectivity with intraparietal regions involved in coordinate transforms and may be involved in idiothetic update of hippocampal visual scene representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund T Rolls
- Oxford Centre for Computational Neuroscience, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai 200403, China
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Roc Boronat 138, Barcelona 08018, Spain
- Brain and Cognition, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona 08018, Spain
- Institució Catalana de la Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
| | - Chu-Chung Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Institute of Brain and Education Innovation, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200602, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai 200602, China
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai 200403, China
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Rolls ET, Wirth S, Deco G, Huang C, Feng J. The human posterior cingulate, retrosplenial, and medial parietal cortex effective connectome, and implications for memory and navigation. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:629-655. [PMID: 36178249 PMCID: PMC9842927 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The human posterior cingulate, retrosplenial, and medial parietal cortex are involved in memory and navigation. The functional anatomy underlying these cognitive functions was investigated by measuring the effective connectivity of these Posterior Cingulate Division (PCD) regions in the Human Connectome Project-MMP1 atlas in 171 HCP participants, and complemented with functional connectivity and diffusion tractography. First, the postero-ventral parts of the PCD (31pd, 31pv, 7m, d23ab, and v23ab) have effective connectivity with the temporal pole, inferior temporal visual cortex, cortex in the superior temporal sulcus implicated in auditory and semantic processing, with the reward-related vmPFC and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, with the inferior parietal cortex, and with the hippocampal system. This connectivity implicates it in hippocampal episodic memory, providing routes for "what," reward and semantic schema-related information to access the hippocampus. Second, the antero-dorsal parts of the PCD (especially 31a and 23d, PCV, and also RSC) have connectivity with early visual cortical areas including those that represent spatial scenes, with the superior parietal cortex, with the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, and with the hippocampal system. This connectivity implicates it in the "where" component for hippocampal episodic memory and for spatial navigation. The dorsal-transitional-visual (DVT) and ProStriate regions where the retrosplenial scene area is located have connectivity from early visual cortical areas to the parahippocampal scene area, providing a ventromedial route for spatial scene information to reach the hippocampus. These connectivities provide important routes for "what," reward, and "where" scene-related information for human hippocampal episodic memory and navigation. The midcingulate cortex provides a route from the anterior dorsal parts of the PCD and the supracallosal part of the anterior cingulate cortex to premotor regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund T. Rolls
- Oxford Centre for Computational NeuroscienceOxfordUK
- Department of Computer ScienceUniversity of WarwickCoventryUK
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain Inspired IntelligenceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain Inspired IntelligenceFudan University, Ministry of EducationShanghaiChina
- Fudan ISTBI—ZJNU Algorithm Centre for Brain‐Inspired IntelligenceZhejiang Normal UniversityJinhuaChina
| | - Sylvia Wirth
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, UMR 5229CNRS and University of LyonBronFrance
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication TechnologiesUniversitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
- Brain and CognitionPompeu Fabra UniversityBarcelonaSpain
- Institució Catalana de la Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA)Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Chu‐Chung Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Psychology and Cognitive ScienceEast China Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- Department of Computer ScienceUniversity of WarwickCoventryUK
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain Inspired IntelligenceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain Inspired IntelligenceFudan University, Ministry of EducationShanghaiChina
- Fudan ISTBI—ZJNU Algorithm Centre for Brain‐Inspired IntelligenceZhejiang Normal UniversityJinhuaChina
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10
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Jeung S, Hilton C, Berg T, Gehrke L, Gramann K. Virtual Reality for Spatial Navigation. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 65:103-129. [PMID: 36512288 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immersive virtual reality (VR) allows its users to experience physical space in a non-physical world. It has developed into a powerful research tool to investigate the neural basis of human spatial navigation as an embodied experience. The task of wayfinding can be carried out by using a wide range of strategies, leading to the recruitment of various sensory modalities and brain areas in real-life scenarios. While traditional desktop-based VR setups primarily focus on vision-based navigation, immersive VR setups, especially mobile variants, can efficiently account for motor processes that constitute locomotion in the physical world, such as head-turning and walking. When used in combination with mobile neuroimaging methods, immersive VR affords a natural mode of locomotion and high immersion in experimental settings, designing an embodied spatial experience. This in turn facilitates ecologically valid investigation of the neural underpinnings of spatial navigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sein Jeung
- Department of Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christopher Hilton
- Department of Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timotheus Berg
- Department of Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukas Gehrke
- Department of Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Gramann
- Department of Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Center for Advanced Neurological Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
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11
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Liang Q, Liao J, Li J, Zheng S, Jiang X, Huang R. The role of the parahippocampal cortex in landmark-based distance estimation based on the contextual hypothesis. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:131-141. [PMID: 36066186 PMCID: PMC9783420 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Parahippocampal cortex (PHC) is a vital neural bases in spatial navigation. However, its functional role is still unclear. "Contextual hypothesis," which assumes that the PHC participates in processing the spatial association between the landmark and destination, provides a potential answer to the question. Nevertheless, the hypothesis was previously tested using the picture categorization task, which is indirectly related to spatial navigation. By now, study is still needed for testing the hypothesis with a navigation-related paradigm. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis by an fMRI experiment in which participants performed a distance estimation task in a virtual environment under three different conditions: landmark free (LF), stable landmark (SL), and ambiguous landmark (AL). By analyzing the behavioral data, we found that the presence of an SL improved the participants' performance in distance estimation. Comparing the brain activity in SL-versus-LF contrast as well as AL-versus-LF contrast, we found that the PHC was activated by the SL rather than by AL when encoding the distance. This indicates that the PHC is elicited by strongly associated context and encodes the landmark reference for distance perception. Furthermore, accessing the representational similarity with the activity of the PHC across conditions, we observed a high similarity within the same condition but low similarity between conditions. This result indicated that the PHC sustains the contextual information for discriminating between scenes. Our findings provided insights into the neural correlates of the landmark information processing from the perspective of contextual hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunjun Liang
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational ScienceSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jiajun Liao
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational ScienceSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jinhui Li
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational ScienceSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Senning Zheng
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational ScienceSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xiaoqian Jiang
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational ScienceSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Ruiwang Huang
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational ScienceSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
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12
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Tullo MG, Almgren H, Van de Steen F, Sulpizio V, Marinazzo D, Galati G. Individual differences in mental imagery modulate effective connectivity of scene-selective regions during resting state. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:1831-1842. [PMID: 35312868 PMCID: PMC9098601 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02475-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Successful navigation relies on the ability to identify, perceive, and correctly process the spatial structure of a scene. It is well known that visual mental imagery plays a crucial role in navigation. Indeed, cortical regions encoding navigationally relevant information are also active during mental imagery of navigational scenes. However, it remains unknown whether their intrinsic activity and connectivity reflect the individuals' ability to imagine a scene. Here, we primarily investigated the intrinsic causal interactions among scene-selective brain regions such as Parahipoccampal Place Area (PPA), Retrosplenial Complex, and Occipital Place Area (OPA) using Dynamic Causal Modelling for resting-state functional magnetic resonance data. Second, we tested whether resting-state effective connectivity parameters among scene-selective regions could reflect individual differences in mental imagery in our sample, as assessed by the self-reported Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire. We found an inhibitory influence of occipito-medial on temporal regions, and an excitatory influence of more anterior on more medial and posterior brain regions. Moreover, we found that a key role in imagery is played by the connection strength from OPA to PPA, especially in the left hemisphere, since the influence of the signal between these scene-selective regions positively correlated with good mental imagery ability. Our investigation contributes to the understanding of the complexity of the causal interaction among brain regions involved in navigation and provides new insight in understanding how an essential ability, such as mental imagery, can be explained by the intrinsic fluctuation of brain signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Tullo
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Benevento, 6, 00161, Roma, RM, Italy. .,Brain Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,PhD Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Hannes Almgren
- Department of Data Analysis, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Frederik Van de Steen
- Department of Data Analysis, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,AIMS, Center For Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Valentina Sulpizio
- Brain Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Marinazzo
- Department of Data Analysis, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gaspare Galati
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Benevento, 6, 00161, Roma, RM, Italy.,Brain Imaging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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13
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Task-related connectivity of decision points during spatial navigation in a schematic map. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:1697-1710. [PMID: 35194657 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02466-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Successful navigation is largely dependent on the ability to make correct decisions at navigational decision points. However, the interaction between the brain regions associated with the navigational decision point in a schematic map is unclear. In this study, we adopted a 2D subway paradigm to study the neural basis underlying decision points. Twenty-eight subjects performed a spatial navigation task using a subway map during fMRI scanning. We adopted a voxel-wise general linear model (GLM) approach and found four brain regions, the left hippocampus (HIP), left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), left ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and right retrosplenial cortex (RSC), activated at a navigational decision point in a schematic map. Using a psychophysiological interactions (PPI) method, we found that (1) both the left vmPFC and right HIP interacted cooperatively with the right RSC, and (2) the left HIP and the left vmPFC interacted cooperatively at the decision point. These findings may be helpful for revealing the neural mechanisms underlying decision points in a schematic map during spatial navigation.
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14
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Scalp recorded theta activity is modulated by reward, direction, and speed during virtual navigation in freely moving humans. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2041. [PMID: 35132101 PMCID: PMC8821620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05955-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Theta oscillations (~ 4–12 Hz) are dynamically modulated by speed and direction in freely moving animals. However, due to the paucity of electrophysiological recordings of freely moving humans, this mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we combined mobile-EEG with fully immersive virtual-reality to investigate theta dynamics in 22 healthy adults (aged 18–29 years old) freely navigating a T-maze to find rewards. Our results revealed three dynamic periods of theta modulation: (1) theta power increases coincided with the participants’ decision-making period; (2) theta power increased for fast and leftward trials as subjects approached the goal location; and (3) feedback onset evoked two phase-locked theta bursts over the right temporal and frontal-midline channels. These results suggest that recording scalp EEG in freely moving humans navigating a simple virtual T-maze can be utilized as a powerful translational model by which to map theta dynamics during “real-life” goal-directed behavior in both health and disease.
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15
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Stenger S, Bludau S, Mohlberg H, Amunts K. Cytoarchitectonic parcellation and functional characterization of four new areas in the caudal parahippocampal cortex. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:1439-1455. [PMID: 34989871 PMCID: PMC9046293 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02441-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Brain areas at the parahippocampal gyrus of the temporal–occipital transition region are involved in different functions including processing visual–spatial information and episodic memory. Results of neuroimaging experiments have revealed a differentiated functional parcellation of this region, but its microstructural correlates are less well understood. Here we provide probability maps of four new cytoarchitectonic areas, Ph1, Ph2, Ph3 and CoS1 at the parahippocampal gyrus and collateral sulcus. Areas have been identified based on an observer-independent mapping of serial, cell-body stained histological sections of ten human postmortem brains. They have been registered to two standard reference spaces, and superimposed to capture intersubject variability. The comparison of the maps with functional imaging data illustrates the different involvement of the new areas in a variety of functions. Maps are available as part of Julich-Brain atlas and can be used as anatomical references for future studies to better understand relationships between structure and function of the caudal parahippocampal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Stenger
- Cécile and Oskar Vogt-Institute for Brain Research, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Bludau
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 1 (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Hartmut Mohlberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 1 (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Katrin Amunts
- Cécile and Oskar Vogt-Institute for Brain Research, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 1 (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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16
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Chauveau L, Kuhn E, Palix C, Felisatti F, Ourry V, de La Sayette V, Chételat G, de Flores R. Medial Temporal Lobe Subregional Atrophy in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: A Longitudinal Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:750154. [PMID: 34720998 PMCID: PMC8554299 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.750154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, it also occurs in typical aging. To enhance the clinical utility of this biomarker, we need to better understand the differential effects of age and AD by encompassing the full AD-continuum from cognitively unimpaired (CU) to dementia, including all MTL subregions with up-to-date approaches and using longitudinal designs to assess atrophy more sensitively. Age-related trajectories were estimated using the best-fitted polynomials in 209 CU adults (aged 19–85). Changes related to AD were investigated among amyloid-negative (Aβ−) (n = 46) and amyloid-positive (Aβ+) (n = 14) CU, Aβ+ patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 33) and AD (n = 31). Nineteen MCI-to-AD converters were also compared with 34 non-converters. Relationships with cognitive functioning were evaluated in 63 Aβ+ MCI and AD patients. All participants were followed up to 47 months. MTL subregions, namely, the anterior and posterior hippocampus (aHPC/pHPC), entorhinal cortex (ERC), Brodmann areas (BA) 35 and 36 [as perirhinal cortex (PRC) substructures], and parahippocampal cortex (PHC), were segmented from a T1-weighted MRI using a new longitudinal pipeline (LASHiS). Statistical analyses were performed using mixed models. Adult lifespan models highlighted both linear (PRC, BA35, BA36, PHC) and nonlinear (HPC, aHPC, pHPC, ERC) trajectories. Group comparisons showed reduced baseline volumes and steeper volume declines over time for most of the MTL subregions in Aβ+ MCI and AD patients compared to Aβ− CU, but no differences between Aβ− and Aβ+ CU or between Aβ+ MCI and AD patients (except in ERC). Over time, MCI-to-AD converters exhibited a greater volume decline than non-converters in HPC, aHPC, and pHPC. Most of the MTL subregions were related to episodic memory performances but not to executive functioning or speed processing. Overall, these results emphasize the benefits of studying MTL subregions to distinguish age-related changes from AD. Interestingly, MTL subregions are unequally vulnerable to aging, and those displaying non-linear age-trajectories, while not damaged in preclinical AD (Aβ+ CU), were particularly affected from the prodromal stage (Aβ+ MCI). This volume decline in hippocampal substructures might also provide information regarding the conversion from MCI to AD-dementia. All together, these findings provide new insights into MTL alterations, which are crucial for AD-biomarkers definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Chauveau
- U1237 PhIND, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Elizabeth Kuhn
- U1237 PhIND, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Cassandre Palix
- U1237 PhIND, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
| | | | - Valentin Ourry
- U1237 PhIND, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France.,U1077 NIMH, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Caen, France
| | - Vincent de La Sayette
- U1077 NIMH, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Caen, France
| | - Gaël Chételat
- U1237 PhIND, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Robin de Flores
- U1237 PhIND, Inserm, Caen-Normandie University, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
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17
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Allen TA, Furtak SC. Introduction to the special issue on extrahippocampal contributions to hippocampal-dependent memory. Hippocampus 2021; 31:634-639. [PMID: 34117810 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Allen
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Sharon C Furtak
- Department of Psychology, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, California, USA
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