Mechanisms of grid cell processing: interactions at the network level (360G-Wellcome-099690_Z_12_Z)

The primary goal of this project is to establish the role of cholinergic signalling in the modulation of grid cell firing patterns. In particular, to study the relationship between Acetylcholine concentration in the Entorhinal Cortex and grid scale. Acetylcholine is a putative signal of novelty and uncertainty, and has been shown to affect the theta-band frequency of grid cell oscillations in-vitro. In parallel, grid scale is known to increase in novel situations. As such, we aim to demonstrate a role for Acetylcholine and its effects on theta-firing as a mechanism underlying changes in grid scale during situations of novelty and uncertainty. Examination of the biological basis of the rodent cognitive map is perhaps themost promising available model system in which we can bridge the gap from behaviour and cognition to neurons and circuits. Understanding how spatial firing in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus is generated and modified in novel environments would be an important extension of our knowledge of spatialcognition, and more generally to our understanding of the process of memory formation