bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.02.27.967794
Latent learning drives sleep-dependent plasticity in distinct CA1 subpopulations
Abstract
Latent learning allows the brain the transform experiences into cognitive maps, a form of implicit memory, without reinforced training. Its mechanism is unclear. We tracked the internal states of the hippocampal neural ensembles and discovered that during latent learning of a spatial map, the state space evolved into a low-dimensional manifold that topologically resembled the physical environment. This process requires repeated experiences and sleep in-between. Further investigations revealed that a subset of hippocampal neurons, instead of rapidly forming place fields in a novel environment, remained weakly tuned but gradually developed correlated activity with other neurons. These weakly spatial neurons bond activity of neurons with stronger spatial tuning, linking discrete place fields into a map that supports flexible navigation.
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Guo, W., Zhang, J. J., Newman, J., Wilson, M. A.. 2020-02-27. Latent learning drives sleep-dependent plasticity in distinct CA1 subpopulations. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.02.27.967794
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