The retrosplenial cortex, seen here in the rat brain, appears to be
vital
in helping an animal successfully navigate the world.
Cell study shows retrosplenial cortex is critical interface
for mental mapping and way-finding
(July 10, 2015) Ever
wake at night needing a drink of water and then find your way to the kitchen in
the dark without stubbing your toe? Researchers at the University of
California, San Diego say they have identified a region of the brain that
enables you to do that – and generally helps you navigate the world.
Douglas Nitz, associate professor of cognitive science in
the UC San Diego Division of Social Sciences, and graduate student Andrew
Alexander worked with rats, aka “navigational geniuses,” recording the firing
activity of neurons while the animals ran on a zigzag track in different
locations, to show that the retrosplenial cortex appears to be critical in
putting together all the information necessary for successfully getting from
point A to point B. They describe their findings in a paper in the journal
Nature Neuroscience.
The world we and other animals navigate is complex and
non-linear, quite unlike the way a proverbial crow flies. The authors say our
ability to get around its numerous indirect points depends, at minimum, on
mapping our position within the environment, knowing routes that take us
between locations, and an awareness of the correct actions to initiate at any
given time: turn right, turn left, go straight.