Simple dynamical system model of selective cue responding cell development

Abstract

In a recent experimental paper, Foster and Wilson [D.A. Foster, M.A. Wilson, Nature 440 (2006) 680–683] reported reverse replay of recent behavioural sequences in rat hippocampal place cells during the awake state immediately after spatial experience at the reward location. A simple dynamical system firing rate neuron model, illustrating how such replay can generate a map of the environment, selectively linking the replay location with other functionally relevant locations, is presented. Numerical simulations show the rapid development of a cell with receptive field corresponding to the reward location and only one of two cues in a cued T-maze task.